The Lehigh Valley's congressman today announced a plan to bolster the nation's border security and disaster preparedness.

During a morning news conference in Allentown, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent outlined legislation that would require the country's Homeland Security secretary and the Air Force secretary to share the Civil Air Patrol, now under the exclusive direction of the Air Force.

The Civil Air Patrol's roughly 56,000 volunteers could then be deployed to protect against illegal entry and trafficking of goods, currency and people. They also would be available to respond to an act of terrorism or natural disaster by assisting in damage assessment, search and rescue, evacuations and the transportation of essential materials.

The Republican's proposal includes no new funding for the Civil Air Patrol, but Homeland Security money could be allocated to cover both maintenance of the privately owned planes and reimbursement of fuel costs.

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