Rogers was the guest speaker for Tuesday's monthly Soup and Sandwich Luncheon at J. Milton's, sponsored jointly by the Bell County Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Small Business Development Center, and Bell County JobSight. He spoke to a large crowd of local officials, business people and community members about several issues of concern - both locally and nationwide.
The region is known for having a good workforce, he said, and many companies that provide “high-tech” jobs are locating in the area. Corbin and Barbourville are just two cities with “high-tech” jobs available.
“In jest, I once said we were going to try to create a “Silicon Holler,” Rogers laughed. “Well, that's coming true.”
Rogers also addressed homeland security issues. Rogers, who is Chairman of the Funding Committee for the Department of Homeland Security, told the crowd that the President signed a bill last week that will provide more money for that department.
“A lot of people don't like to believe that we're in a world war right now, but we are,” he stated. “It's a war on terror, against those who want to do us ill.”
This newly-signed bill provides almost $35 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, $2.5 billion more than last year. Of that, $3.4 billion will go to state and local first responders for training and grants.
“We owe a lot to our first responders who protect us,” he said.
Transportation security will get $6.5 billion and border protection efforts will get $21.3 billion.
“We're pouring dollars into border enforcement,” he stated. “Among other things we're doing, we're fighting employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.”
It is estimated that 11 - 15 million illegal immigrants are in this country, he said, and we are “making good progress” in the effort to protect the borders. The additional funding for border protection will provide for an additional 1,500 border patrols, to bring the total to 14,800. An additional 650 customs officers will be funded, as well as an additional 6,700 detention beds.
“We've also funded 700 miles of fencing that will be built along the border,” Rogers said.
In areas that fencing cannot be built, sensors in the ground, cameras, unmanned vehicles and manned aircraft will be used to enforce the border patrol. Six thousand National Guard soldiers are being used along the border as well.
For the first time, the “catch and release” system of dealing with illegal immigration has ended, he said. “Now, it's catch and return. When we catch them, we ship them back.”
Rogers touched on the economy as well, saying that nationwide there has been 38 consecutive months of job growth, with 51,000 new jobs created in September.
Locally, tourism can be the key to a successful future, he said, adding that this region leads the state in the increase in tourism. He praised local officials for “having their act together.”
“We've been told [in this area] in the past how ignorant and hillbilly we are,” he said. “That attitude is changing. We're capable, talented, and capable of competing with anyone.”
Marisa Anders is Managing Editor for the Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at manders@middlesborodailynews.com.
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