SIA Names Rep. Patrick Meehan as Legislator of the Year
Rep. Meehan earns distinction due to his commitment to homeland security research and development, chemical facility security and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure sites.
Silver Spring, Md. — The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Congressman Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., as its 2014 Legislator of the Year.
A keynote speaker at the 2013 Government Summit, Rep. Meehan represents the 7th District of Pennsylvania and serves as chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.
“Congressman Meehan has demonstrated a tireless commitment to advancing policy changes that help keep the American people safe, authoring several bills relevant to the security industry that are key priorities of the Homeland Security Committee,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “He has introduced and supported good legislation that would improve research and development, strengthen measures to protect chemical facilities and bolsters cybersecurity at critical infrastructure sites. SIA has been pleased to work with Congressman Meehan on these efforts.”
Meehan authored the Critical Infrastructure Research and Development Act (CIRDA) (H.R. 2952), a bill that will help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) set clear and measurable research and development priorities that will accelerate the development of cutting-edge security technologies to protect critical infrastructure.
Meehan also introduced the Chemical Facility Anti‐Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Program Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014 (H.R. 4007), which would improve DHS management of the CFATS program and provide the certainty needed by many facilities to justify long-term investments in security technology. He also sponsored the National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (NCCIP) Act of 2013 (H.R. 3696), which strengthens cybersecurity throughout our nation’s 16 critical infrastructure sectors.
SIA plans to present the award to Congressman Meehan in June. He also will be honored in absentia at the SIA Public Policy Dinner.
The SIA Public Policy Dinner is open only to registered attendees of the SIA Government Summit. Registration for the 2014 SIA Government Summit is open at https://www.securityindustry.org/summit.
For more information on the SIA Government Summit, contact Elizabeth Hunger, SIA manager of government relations, at ehunger@securityindustry.org or 301-804-4714.
About the Security Industry Association (SIA)
The Security Industry Association (SIA) (https://www.securityindustry.org) is the leading trade association for electronic and physical security solution providers, with more than 500 innovative member companies representing more than 300,000 security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels; creating open industry standards that enable integration; advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities, and collaboration with other like-minded organizations. As a proud sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, and owner of the Securing New Ground® conference, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities.