Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, and Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), Homeland Security Committee member, introduction of three bills to enhance the nation's preparedness and response capabilities.

The Homeland Security Relief Corps Act of 2008 (H.R. 6425) sponsored by Thompson would establish a relief corps within the Department of Homeland Security to respond to natural and manmade disasters.

"With the floods in the Midwest and the other disasters this nation has seen since Katrina, it is time for citizens to get more involved in disaster response and recovery," Thompson said. "This bill provides a path to the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast and provides hope for quicker recovery for residents of other ravaged areas."

Cuellar's Alerting Lives Through Effective and Reliable Technological Systems Act of 2008 (H.R. 6392) would expand the emergency alert and warning system within the Federal Emergency Management Agency and provides Americans information before and during critical emergencies.

"This bill will allow Congress to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security reduces the number of lives lost by utilizing next generation technology and all available modes of communication," said Cuellar. "It will provide critical homeland security information to as many people as possible, and in all locations whether in school, on the job, or on the highway."

Green sponsored the Department of Homeland Security Preparedness, Research, and Education Program Act of 2008 (H.R. 6395) that would establishe a fellowship program within DHS to conduct research and subsequently develop best practices for disaster response and recovery.

"The DHS PREP Act will provide opportunities for a diverse group of students to gain valuable experience at the Department of Homeland Security while enhancing our understanding of post-disaster recovery," Rep. Green said. "It is often said that when we ignore the lessons of history, it is doomed to repeat itself. We must extract as much knowledge as possible from the devastating aftermath of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina to ensure that our nation is better equipped to respond to future disasters and the mistakes of the past are not repeated."