Tucson lawmaker says maintaining intelligence-gathering superiority is essential to America's national security
TUCSON - " U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today said that America's national security depends on military bases like Fort Huachuca, where the latest intelligence-gathering techniques are taught to America's men and women in uniform.
"Our ability to gather, analyze and make use of intelligence is unrivaled," said Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. "Maintaining that intelligence-gathering edge is absolutely essential to America's national security, and no place exemplifies this better than Fort Huachuca."
The Tucson lawmaker on Tuesday attended the 2008 Intelligence Warfighting Summit and Technology Exposition at the Starr Pass Marriott. The event, which was hosted by the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, included a keynote address by U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
"Arizonans have long known and appreciated the vital role Fort Huachuca plays in keeping America safe and secure," said Giffords. "I am pleased that Chairman Reyes had the opportunity to see this facility himself and spend time with the fine men and women who serve there."
The theme of the 2008 Intelligence Warfighting Summit and Technology Exposition is "The Army Intelligence Enterprise and Emerging Technologies in an Age of Uncertainty." Attending were leaders from Army Intelligence, industry and government agencies. The intent of the summit was to gain a greater understanding of the impact intelligence-gathering has on the way we combat current and emerging threats.
"Having Chairman Reyes at the Fort and at the Summit gave the intelligence community an opportunity to exchange ideas with a prominent leader in Congress who crafts the laws and regulations that govern them," Giffords said. "Congress needs to do whatever it can to make our intelligence programs the best they can be. That is why I was proud to help host Chairman Reyes in Southern Arizona, where we contribute enormously to our nation's security."