For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
September 24, 2004

Secretary Tom Ridge today announced the appointment of Mayor Donald Plusquellic of Akron, Ohio to serve as the representative of the United States Conference of Mayors on the State and Local Officials Senior Advisory Committee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC).

Mayor Plusquellic began his 18th year as Mayor of the City of Akron after being re-elected this past January for a fifth four-year term.  He is the city’s longest-serving mayor and a life-long resident of Akron.  This past June, Mayor Plusquellic was inaugurated as the 62nd President of the United States Conference of Mayors for a term to run through June 2005.  This 500-member, bipartisan organization represents 500 cities around America.  

Secretary Ridge established the State and Local Officials Senior Advisory Committee to provide the Homeland Security Advisory Council with advice on increasing America's security from experts representing state and local government.  The HSAC is comprised of experts from state and local governments, first preventer and responder communities, academia and the private sector, and provides advice and recommendations to Secretary Ridge on homeland security issues.

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