Historic Testimony by Alabama A&M University President

Daniel K. Wims, the president of Alabama A&M University, made history last week as the first president of A&M to testify before Congress, addressing the House of Representatives’ Homeland Security Committee on Emergency and Technology.

Introduced by R-Alabama Speaker, Chairman Dale Strong, Wims took the opportunity to discuss the vulnerabilities within the American food and agricultural systems. He pointed out that farmers in the Southeast are particularly exposed to threats from foreign land purchases and potential terrorist activities.

“Farmers and producers in the southeast are quite open, quite vulnerable. When we lose a season, we not only lose crops but also our means to support our families and sustain our farms,” Wims stressed, underlining the necessity for awareness, education, and technical support. “This calls for funding and enhanced collaboration between research and expansion, especially in light of the terrorism threats we face.”

Wims urged legislators to endorse strategies that integrate traditional agriculture with modern technologies like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He warned that production, processing, distribution, and storage weaknesses could be exploited without robust defenses.

“We believe in the necessity for education and technical support grounded in solid research that leads to data-driven information,” Wims said. “What we struggle with is effectively integrating agricultural science with computer sciences and professionals in AI and cybersecurity. We’re not doing this well at all.”

From his vantage point at the university, Wims highlighted that institutions like Alabama A&M must play a role in safeguarding the American food supply. “We need to adopt systems like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity not just for production but for the distribution and preservation of food as well,” he noted.

Wims’s appearance was welcomed as a significant milestone for the institution. “I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Wims for participating in the hearing. It’s a historic moment for Alabama A&M University, as the president has testified before Congress for the very first time. His insights on agroterrorism were invaluable to me and other members,” Strong remarked.

Wims testified alongside other experts, including CRIS Young from Auburn University and Asha M. George, executive director of the bipartisan Biodefense Committee. The panel collectively called for expanded research, stronger partnerships, and sustained federal support to shield the nation’s food supply from potential disruptions.

Alabama A&M, founded in 1875, stands as the largest historically black college and university in Alabama. The institution, designated as a land-grant university, is dedicated to education, research, and public service, and is recognized as the largest provider of minority STEM graduates in the state, continuing to foster innovation and opportunities both within Alabama and beyond.