Washington, DC – Yesterday, the United States Department of Homeland Security announced that Texas Southern University, designated by Congress as a National Transportation Center of Excellence (NTSCE), will be the lead institution focusing on petro-chemical transportation security. In July 2007, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) worked with House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson to secure a groundbreaking earmark as part of the final version of the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007” to create a National Transportation Security Center of Excellence at TSU.

“As a member of the 9/11 Conference Committee, I was able to work for and be awarded an important earmark to create a National Transportation Security Center of Excellence at TSU,” stated Congressman Green. “Texas Southern University’s Homeland Security Center of Excellence will bring together leading experts and researchers to conduct multidisciplinary research and education for homeland security solutions and develop or provide professional security training, including the training of transportation employees and transportation professionals.”

TSU is one of three universities that comprise the consortium of National Transportation Security Centers of Excellence. This consortium is responsible for conducting research and developing new technologies, tools and advanced methods to defend, protect, and increase the resilience of the nation’s transportation infrastructure. TSU will receive funding over 4 years to manage the petro-chemical transportation security portfolio.

“I am proud to have negotiated to make TSU a NTSCE and now to have negotiated to make TSU a co-lead university focusing on petro-chemical transportation security. This NTSCE will put TSU, Houston’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and the City of Houston at the forefront of transportation security and will serve to enhance transportation security for the Houston Metropolitan Area, the State of Texas, and across this great nation.”