WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today welcomed President Obama’s appointment of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to a bipartisan panel aimed at strengthening homeland defense.
“Naming Gov. Brewer to this panel makes sense,” said Giffords, a member of House Armed Services Committee. “She is the only governor on the panel from a state on our southern border. Her voice will be critical.”
Brewer is among 10 governors who will serve on the Council of Governors. The council was created by the president in an executive order issued last month.
According to the White House, the council’s goal is to strengthen “the partnership between the federal government and state governments to protect our nation against all types of hazards.”
Council members will advise federal government officials from the departments of Defense and Homeland Security on issues relating to the National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities.
“As the home to key military installations like Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca and the 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona plays a critical role in the defense of our nation,” said Giffords. “Those ties are sure to be strengthened with Gov. Brewer on the Council of Governors.”
Other governors named to the panel are from Washington, Vermont, Maryland, South Dakota, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Missouri, Oklahoma and Virginia.