Finally. this amendment would authorize a comprehensive embassy construction program which would conform to the recommendations of the Inman panel and speed up our security upgrade program worldwide to meet the growing terrorist threat. This legislation authorizes the Presidents request for $4.4 billion over the next 5 years for the Departments Diplomatic Security Program. Of these funds. $1.6 billion will provide for the salaries and expenses of such programs as the public access control projects. perimeter security systems. armored vehicle program. residential security. passport and visa fraud investigations. and for the protection of foreign dignitaries and missions in the United States. The remaining funds will be for the Diplomatic Construction Program. With these funds. the Department will significally upgrade 254 American facilities overseas. including 79 new embassy compounds.