Chairwoman Norton, Ranking Member Diaz-Balart, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today on the important issue of catastrophic planning and disaster preparedness.
As Adjutant General for the State of Wisconsin, I serve as Commanding General of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard with responsibility for both federal and state missions. I also serve as the Homeland Security Advisor to Governor Jim Doyle and have responsibility for emergency management.
I appear before you today in uniform and I am a federally recognized officer; however, I appear before you today as a State Official, not on federal military orders and am representing the State of Wisconsin and the National Governors Association.
My testimony will focus on three areas critical to enhancing the nation’s preparedness for a catastrophic incident: 1) the federal-state partnership and the need to clarify the role of the military; 2) the role of federal preparedness guidelines; and 3) the need to better target grant investments toward achieving and sustaining capabilities.
