With nearly 300 participants expected to attend, Senator Jay Rockefeller on Sunday, June 1, 2008 kicked off the 3rd West Virginia Summit on Homeland Security in Morgantown. 

"When we hosted the previous two homeland security summits, our nation was still reeling from the attacks of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina," Rockefeller said. "This year, thankfully, we're not looking at homeland security on the heels of a disaster. However, we are focusing on it just before a major shift in the federal government - the transition from one administration to another. That makes this an enormously important time to keep homeland security in the forefront of our minds, and at the top of our priority list." Sunday's activities begin near the WVU football stadium with a number of outdoor demonstrations by West Virginia companies and agencies on cutting-edge products, equipment and processes related to homeland security. In addition to stationary presentations such as communications trailers, the National Guard is set to demonstrate a "rubble pile," simulating a disaster rescue; and the State Police will be exhibiting its bomb robot and simulating a SWAT team raid. 

Later in the evening, and following a workshop on federal firefighter grants, Rockefeller will be introducing former US Senator from Florida, Bob Graham, who will deliver keynote remarks at the Waterfront Place Hotel. Senator Graham is the former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the position which Rockefeller now holds, and is recognized nationally as a leader on homeland security.

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