Kerry Outlines Key Steps to Prevent Bioterrorism; Receives Endorsement of International Association of EMT's and Paramedics

6/2/2004

From: Allison Dobson of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000, Web: http://johnkerry.com

TAMPA, Fla., June 2 -- Continuing his 11-day focus on building a stronger, more secure and respected America, Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry Wednesday met with first-responders and public health officials in Tampa, FL to talk about how we can reduce the grave threat of a biological attack.

Kerry today called for a stronger commitment to biosecurity at home and for greater cooperation with our allies to strengthen our defenses, emphasizing that we lack focused leadership and have shredded the alliances we need around the globe.

"Yesterday I talked about my plan to reduce the greatest threat facing our country-a terrorist armed with a nuclear weapon," Kerry said. "Today, I want to talk about the other grave threat-a terrorist with a biological weapon. Even in the face of this great danger, there are steps we can take to strengthen our biodefense and preparedness to a level that can reduce the threat and prevent a national tragedy. This will take high-level attention, focused strategies and decisive leadership."

A bioterrorist attack could kill or endanger millions of Americans. One-hundred kilograms of anthrax aerosolized over an American city could kill as many as 3 million people. As biotechnology advances, the threats we face only grow.

Nearly three years after the anthrax attacks, there are significant gaps in our efforts to prevent bioterrorism. There is no national strategy and no high-level individual in charge of coordinating efforts across multiple agencies. While funding for biopreparedness has increased since 2001, President Bush is now proposing cuts in key areas. Our hospitals are overburdened, and there has been inadequate development of essential drugs and vaccines.

To reduce this threat, Kerry today said we must work with our allies. As one of his four national security imperatives, Kerry said he will build and lead a new era of alliances to combat bioterrorism and other threats across the globe.

"First, we must lead a global effort to prevent bioterrorism," Kerry said. "I will work with our allies to strengthen the bioweapons ban and to improve security in labs that handle dangerous pathogens. I will make it a priority in our relations with Russia to safeguard any remaining biological agents and to have scientists who once built these weapons use their skills for peaceful purposes developing vaccines and antidotes."

At home, Kerry said we can do more to strengthen our health system and homeland security.

"Too many hospitals and emergency rooms are overwhelmed, staggering beneath the every day burdens of our broken health system," Kerry said. "And our states and cities and towns need leadership and guidance from Washington, not more of the same policy that says, 'Figure this out on your own.'"

Kerry said that we should put America's bioscience genius to work to make sure our defense is always stronger than the terrorists' offense. Calling for the creation of a "Medical Arsenal of Democracy," Kerry underscored the need to speed drug and vaccine development .

Kerry also pledged to provide a top-level commitment to biosecurity, starting with the appointment of one person to be charge of overseeing all bioterrorism programs, budgets and strategic priorities. This individual will be responsible for working with state and local leaders to establish the benchmarks for state and local preparedness required by law.

To strengthen our public health system, Kerry will lift burdens from hospitals and support biopreparedness programs. His plan to make health insurance more affordable and accessible will shorten lines in emergency rooms, relieve pressure on state budges and allow greater focus on health challenges like bioterrorism. He will also invest in education and research and in new technologies that can reduce casualties, control disease and save lives.

"Every American shares the same goal: to live in a country and a world that is safe," Kerry said. "As your president, I will never stop working to keep you safe."

Kerry is in the middle of an 11-day focus on national security where he is laying out his vision for an America that is stronger at home and respected in the world. Beginning with a speech outlining his new imperatives for national security last Thursday, Kerry has since talked about the lessons we can draw from the Greatest Generation and the urgent need to take action to stop terrorists from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Kerry today also received the endorsement of the International Association of EMT's and Paramedics, whose 7,000 members work in 14 states.

Paid for by John Kerry for President, Inc.