ATLANTA – State Representative Andy Welch (R-Locust Grove) recently held a joint counter-terrorism meeting, which included members of the House Appropriations Public Safety Subcommittee, Chaired by Rep. Welch, and members of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, Chaired by Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartwell).
“In light of recent terrorist threats and attacks in the United State and abroad, Chairman Powell and I felt it necessary to bring our two committees together during the first week of the session to discuss our state’s counter-terrorism preparedness,” said Rep. Welch. “Our goal is to understand our state’s preparedness and assist state agencies with their counter-terrorism measures. Protecting the safety and security of Georgians must be our top priority.”
The informational meeting was held on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the State Capitol, where members heard from various state agency heads and learned how their respective agencies are working to counter-terrorism in Georgia. The joint meeting included presentations from: Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) / Homeland Security, Director Jim Butterworth; Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI), Director Vernon Keenan; Georgia Department of Defense, Adjutant General Joe Jarrard; Georgia Department of Public Safety, Colonel Mark McDonough.