Establishes an endowed chair within the state university of New York for the study of terrorism and homeland security; appropriation

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing an endowed chair within the state university of New York for the study of terrorism and homeland security and making an appropriation therefor

Purpose or general idea of bill

: This bill seeks to establish a forum and focal point for the study and deliberation on terrorism and homeland security, through the establishment of an endowed chair at the State University of New York, with the goal of contributing to the development of strategies and solutions to effectively deal with these issues.

Summary of specific provisions

: This bill would:

1. Establish within the State University of New York an academic chair in terrorism and homeland security;

2. Give such chair a mandate to organize conferences and seminars, develop training programs for law enforcement officers, publish proceedings and maintain a library;

3. Authorize the Chancellor and Trustees of the State University to appoint a person well qualified by education and experience to administer the program of the chair;

4. Authorize the chair to establish a development program to build an endowment; and

5. Appropriate $350,000 to establish this program.

Justification

: Every day news reports have shown the dangers of our world with respect to terrorism and need, for homeland security. As a result, both issues have highlighted the threats and damage which we face on a worldwide scale.

Terrorism has diminished our public safety, disrupted world commerce, corrupted many financial institutions, and put our very lives and futures at risk. With the establishment and funding of this program, New York can once exercise leadership in the fields of terrorism prevention and response as well as homeland protection and security.

This program would provide a highly useful forum and focal point for study and deliberation on the issues necessary to be deployed to address these serious public safety problems, and will help bring knowledge and develop appropriate strategies to effectively combat them.

Legislative history

: 2008 - S.3741-A - Referred to Finance Committee

Fiscal impact

This bill would appropriate $350,000 for the establishment of the subject chair.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately.