Thread: Border conference to feature Homeland Security Chief

Does this sound like SPP maybe? And the link given at the end doesn't work.
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Border conference to feature Homeland Security Chief
Times staff report
El Paso Times
Article Launched:08/03/2007 05:09:22 PM MDT

With border security at the forefront of national dialogue, prominent national and international leaders will come together at UTEP to discuss security strategies and technologies, drug trafficking, international partnerships and more during the 4th annual Border Security Conference Aug. 13-14.
Registration for the free conference is now open.

"Border Security: Securing and Managing our Nation's Borders" is hosted by the University of Texas at El Paso in conjunction with U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes.

"We are proud once again to bring together representatives from both sides of the border to focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the border region," UTEP President Diana Natalicio said. "The University of Texas at El Paso's border location, academic and research programs, and partnerships with institutions in Mexico make the UTEP campus an outstanding site for this dialogue."

The conference agenda includes a number of high-ranking officials:

Admiral James G. Stavridis, Commander, United States Southern Command, will offer opening remarks at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 at the Undergraduate Learning Center.

Michael Chertoff, secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be the keynote speaker at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Undergraduate Learning Center, Room 106.

Mike McConnell, director of national intelligence, will be the luncheon keynote speaker at noon Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Tomás Rivera Conference Center, Union Building East.

"I have always stressed that discussions involving our nation's border security should include El Pasoans," said Reyes. "This is one of the most important reasons I work to bring national and international border security and intelligence leaders to our community. If anyone wants real world examples of the challenges facing our nation's border security professionals, they need to travel to El Paso and talk with El Pasoans. This conference will cut through the rhetoric of the current debate and facilitate a cooperative dialogue to produce real results that will keep us safe."

Panelists will give presentations on several issues, and technology development companies will display their projects and products. UTEP panelists include Brig. Gen. (Ret) Jose D. Riojas, vice president for strategic initiatives; Ann Quiroz Gates, computer sciences department chair; and Howard Daudistel, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

For more information or to register, call 915/747-8274 or visit www.ia.utep.edu/universityrelations.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/breakingnews/ci_6537893

"I have always stressed that discussions involving our nation's border security should include El Pasoans," said Reyes.

Why should the discussion include those from El Paso, it certainly isn't including the rest of us! Furthermore, El Paso is a sanctuary city, isn't it? If so, their solution is to keep the border open for the free flow of commerce and people.