{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-hails-university-of-maine-system-as-national-cybersecurity-education-leader", "King Hails University of Maine System as National Cybersecurity Education Leader", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "King Hails University of Maine System as National Cybersecurity Education Leader\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, November 21, 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tPORTLAND, ME \u2013 This morning, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, recognized the University of Maine System (UMS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity.\r\n\u201cOur world is more interconnected and reliant on technology than ever before. While this has enabled tremendous progress, it has also given rise to new and complex challenges,\u201d Senator King wrote in a congratulatory letter presented to University of Southern Maine President David Flanagan. \u201cThe Maine Cyber Security Cluster will be an invaluable resource as we work to protect our nation from these threats. In addition, students who learn and train at this lab, as well as other labs within the University of Maine System, will gain the necessary skills and experience to serve on the frontlines of our nation\u2019s cybersecurity efforts. I look forward to watching these students take leadership roles in this ever growing and crucial field. Congratulations on this impressive designation.\u201d\r\nThe distinction, awarded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), recognizes the capacity and curriculum that Maine\u2019s public universities have developed collaboratively to help address the critical national shortage of professionals with the skills needed to help defend the United States\u2019 national information infrastructure. UMS is the nation\u2019s first and only public university system in the country to earn the distinction as a national cybersecurity education leader. Senator King also toured the Maine Cyber Security Lab at the University of Southern Maine\u2019s Portland campus and participated in a cybersecurity roundtable discussion with students and faculty.\r\nAs a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, Senator King has repeatedly voiced his concern about the danger of a cyber-attack or other destructive computer network exploitation activities that could cause damage to our national and economic security, including threats to the U.S. energy grid, financial services, or health sectors.\r\nThe complete text of Senator King\u2019s letter to President Flanagan can be read below:\r\n+++\r\n\r\nNovember 24, 2014\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nMr. David Flanagan\r\nPresident\r\nUniversity of Southern Maine\r\nPO Box 9300\r\nPortland, ME 04104\r\n\r\nDear President Flanagan,\r\nIt is a great honor to join you today as we gather to recognize the University of Maine System\u2019s recent designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/ Cybersecurity by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. This distinguished designation identifies the University of Maine System as one of the nation\u2019s top academic leaders in cybersecurity education and highlights the important role that the University of Southern Maine\u2019s Cyber Security Cluster will play in ensuring that our nation is equipped with trained professionals to meet its cybersecurity needs.\r\nOur world is more interconnected and reliant on technology than ever before. While this has enabled tremendous progress, it has also given rise to new and complex challenges. The Maine Cyber Security Cluster will be an invaluable resource as we work to protect our nation from these threats. In addition, students who learn and train at this lab, as well as other labs within the University of Maine System, will gain the necessary skills and experience to serve on the frontlines of our nation\u2019s cybersecurity efforts. I look forward to watching these students take leadership roles in this ever growing and crucial field.\r\nCongratulations on this impressive designation. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to excellence.\r\nBest regards,\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nANGUS S. KING, JR.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-hails-university-of-maine-system-as-national-cybersecurity-education-leader"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.3860710207372904, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}