House Homeland Security chariman, US Border Patrol Chief to accompany congressman
HOULTON, Maine — Congressman Bruce Poliquin, a member of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, will host House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul and U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mark Morgan for an in-depth, day-long tour of Maine’s northern border Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016.
The tour will conclude with a public town hall discussion in Houlton to hear directly from Mainers who live and work near the international border about concerns on border security and crossing.
“Maine shares a 611-mile border with Canada, and it’s critical that every inch of it is secure to keep our families, communities and our nation safe — from drug traffickers and those who seek to threaten our homeland,” said Congressman Poliquin. “At the same time, it’s important that we balance the need for strong security with the needs of our communities, families and local businesses in northern, western and Down East Maine that go across the border every day for work, for pleasure and to visit loved ones.
“I am very excited for this opportunity to host two of our Nation’s top officials on border security for this uniquely valuable tour of Maine’s northern border and public town hall discussion to hear directly from local law enforcement and community members who are impacted by the border every day,” the lawmaker added.
“Understanding the unique threats to and security gaps along the northern border is critical to addressing national security challenges,” said McCaul. “Securing the northern border, like all our borders, must remain a top priority. I look forward to examining first-hand the security measures being implemented at our northernmost perimeter.”
On Thursday, Aug. 25, Congressman Poliquin, Chairman McCaul and Chief Morgan will tour the Houlton Sector Border Patrol Headquarters facilities and Houlton Station; participate in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials and local law enforcement members working on the border; and take an extensive aerial tour of the Maine-Canadian border by helicopter.
That evening at 6, the group is inviting members of the community and Mainers who live and work near the international border to participate in a public town hall forum in Houlton to discuss border security and crossing concerns.
This town hall will be open to the public. Individuals wishing to attend can RSVP to Congressman Poliquin’s Presque Isle office located at 631 Main St. or by phone at 207-764-1968. The trip will be the first meeting between Chairman McCaul and Chief Morgan, two of the nation’s top border security officials.
