DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY ACCEPTS SENATOR COLLINS’ INVITATION TO VISIT MAINE

WASHINGTON, DC-- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has accepted Senator Susan Collins' invitation to visit Maine on August 2nd and 3rd. While in Maine, the Secretary is scheduled to tour the Port of Portland, visit with some of Maine's first responders at the Emergency Operations Center in Portland, tour the U.S.-Canadian border via helicopter, and visit with border officials in Houlton.

"I am pleased that the Secretary has accepted my invitation to visit Maine to get a first-hand glimpse of the issues facing Maine's ports and borders. As the Secretary knows, we have homeland security challenges that are unique to Maine," said Senator Collins.

"As the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I have enjoyed working with Secretary Chertoff and look forward to his having an interesting and productive trip to Maine," Senator Collins added.

Details of press availability are as follows:

Tuesday, August 2 - Secretary Chertoff and Senator Collins to tour the Port of Portland.

2:00 PM prompt–A fireboat will be available for members of the media to travel alongside the Secretary and Senator for b-roll shots and photos. The boat will depart from the Port Ocean Terminal, 40 Commercial Street, Portland. Space is limited and please RSVP to Jen Burita – 202-224-9229 or 202-236-8513 (cell)

3:10 PM – Press Availability upon the Secretary and Senator's return from the port tour. Port Ocean Terminal, 40 Commercial Street, Portland.

***It is advised that media have two different crews for each press opportunity in the event that the fireboat does not make it back to the port in time for the press availability to begin, which is expected to begin promptly.

Wednesday, August 3 – Secretary Chertoff and Senator Collins to travel to Presque Isle to tour the U.S.-Canadian border via helicopter. They will land in Houlton where they will meet with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials and they will hold a press availability.

10:20 AM – Secretary Chertoff and Senator Collins to have a brief meeting at the Presque Isle General Aviation airport with local officials to include; Dr. Richard Cost, President of the University of Maine at Fort Kent; Chief Doug Conroy, Police Chief for the Town of Washburn; Chief Jim Krysiak, Fire Chief for the City of Presque Isle; and Vern Ouelette, Director of Aroostook County Emergency Management.

***This brief meeting will provide members of the media with a photo op only.

12:50 PM – Secretary Chertoff to hold a press availability at the Houlton port of entry.

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