UNMC will serve as the site to a Congressional subcommittee field hearing on Wednesday, July 3. The hearing will focus on the federal government’s effectiveness in helping state and local authorities with bioterrorism preparedness.
“We are honored to be chosen as the site for this hearing,” said Bob Bartee, executive assistant to the chancellor at UNMC. “UNMC has significant expertise in several areas of bioterrorism preparedness, and we are prepared to assist the statewide and national efforts on this front.”
The field hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in the UNMC/NHS Private Dining Rooms. Listening to testimony will be members of the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management and Intergovernmental Relations.
Rep. Steve Horn, R-Calif., serves as chairman of the subcommittee. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., also is a member.
“We want to learn first-hand whether federal programs are meeting the needs of those on the front lines — the police officers, firefighters, rescue teams and public health agencies,” Horn said. “September 11th was a wake-up call for all Americans. We must be prepared for the unexpected.”
Two UNMC faculty members are among the 11 scheduled testifiers for Wednesday’s hearing. Steven Hinrichs, M.D., director of the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory and director of microbiology and virology at UNMC, and Philip Smith, M.D., chief of infectious diseases at UNMC, will testify.
Other scheduled testifiers include:
- Nebraska Lt. Gov. David Heineman;
- James Bogner, special agent in charge, Omaha Division Federal Bureau of Investigation;
- JayEtta Z. Hecker, director of physical infrastructure issues, U. S. General Accounting Office;
- Richard Raymond, M.D., chief medical officer, State of Nebraska;
- Chief Don Wagner, Omaha City Fire Department;
- Chief Don Carey, Omaha Police Department;
- Tom Wurtz, general manager, Metropolitan Utilities District;
- Gary Gates, vice president, nuclear division, Omaha Public Power District;
- Richard Hainje, Region 7, Federal Emergency Management Agency.