Skip to ContentText OnlyGo to Search
Welcome to the White HousePresidentNewsVice PresidentHistory & ToursFirst LadyMrs. Cheney
Welcome to the White HouseGovernmentKids OnlyEspanolContactPrivacy PolicySiteMapSearch
Welcome to the White HouseReceive Email Updates
 

Issues
Economy
Iraq
Education
National Security
Homeland Security
More Issues
En Español

News
Current News
Press Briefings
Proclamations
Executive Orders
Radio
  
News by Date
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
July 2002
June 2002
May 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
November 2001
October 2001
September 2001
August 2001
July 2001
June 2001
May 2001
April 2001
March 2001
February 2001
January 2001

Appointments
Nominations
Application

 

Photo Essays
Photo Essays
Search photos by date

 

White House Features - A Gallery of our special pages
  
Federal Facts
Federal Statistics
  
West Wing
History
 Home > News & Policies > July 2002
Printer-Friendly Version
Email this page

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 16, 2002

video screen capture
multimedia

President's Remarks
video image view
audio image listen
President Releases National Strategy for Homeland Security
The Rose Garden

The National Strategy for Homeland Security Read the National Strategy
     Fact sheetExecutive Summary

9:30 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Vice President and Governor Ridge, thank you all. I want to thank the members of Congress who have come to discuss the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. We just had a really productive meeting on this important issue. All of us agree that protecting Americans from attack is our most urgent national priority, and that we must act on the priority.

President George W. Bush announces the Homeland Security Strategy as Vice President Cheney and Governor Ridge stand beside the President during a Rose Garden press conference Tuesday, July 16. I want to thank the Speaker, Speaker Hastert, and Leader Gephardt, as well as Leader Lott and Senator Reid for being here. And I appreciate so very much their agreement that we ought to have a debate about the creation of the Department of homeland Security on the floor of both bodies before Congress leaves for the August break. These four leaders have shown a strong commitment to get something done on behalf of the American people.

I also want to appreciate -- the members of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security are here -- Chairman Armey and Vice Chairman Pelosi, and other members. Both Republicans and Democrats are charged with reconciling the work of numerous House committees who acted this past week. They face a significant challenge, but I'm confident they'll meet the challenge, because they, too, want to do what's right.

I also welcome members of the House and Senate who have been long interested in changing the way our government protects our homeland. Senator Lieberman and Thompson and Collins, Congresswomen Harman and Tauscher, and Congressmen Thornberry, Gibbons, Chambliss, Portman and Shays. These are members who had an interest in reform prior to September the 11th. They've been working on this issue for a long time, and I appreciate their input and their willingness to stay involved in the process.

I want to thank them for their past efforts. The American people need to know these members of Congress are working hard and working long hours. And during the next couple of weeks, they'll be working hard to get something on the floor of their respective bodies. And that's good, and that's good for the American people.

There are a lot of tough decisions that will be made as we develop and discuss and debate how to move forward. But I'm confident that members of both parties and members of both chambers know that the security of our nation is the goal. That's the most important thing that they'll be focused on, is how best to secure the United States.

President Bush today released the first National Strategy for Homeland Security. The purpose of the Strategy is to mobilize and organize our Nation to secure the U.S. homeland from terrorist attacks. Video screen capture by Monty Haymes. We also understand that the current structure of our government is a patchwork, to put it best, of overlapping responsibilities and it really does hinder our ability to protect the homeland. And so we're working with both parties in both chambers to effect a strategy that will make it more likely that not only this administration and this Congress can deal with the true threats of the 21st century, but as importantly, future administrations and future congresses will be able to deal with the threats that will continue to be directed at a nation which loves freedom.

I -- right after the September the 11th attacks I established the Office of Homeland Security in the White House and gave it a critical mission, to produce a national strategy for homeland security. And today I'm sending to Congress our new national strategy for homeland security. This comprehensive plan lays out clear lines of authority and clear responsibilities; responsibilities for federal employees and for governors and mayors and community and business leaders and the American citizens. With a better picture of those responsibilities, all of us can direct money and manpower to meet them.

In the war on terror, the American people are showing tremendous strength and great resolve. Our unity is a great weapon in this fight. And by acting together to create a new and single Department of Homeland Security, we'll be sending the world a signal that the Congress and the administration will work together to protect the American people, and to win this war on terror.

Again, I want to thank the members for their hard work. I appreciate the long hours that they're putting in. I appreciate their love for America and their patriotism during this trying time for our country. May God bless the American people and may God continue to bless America.

Thank you very much.

END 9:35 A.M. EDT


Printer-Friendly Version
Email this page



President  |  Vice President  |  First Lady  |  Mrs. Cheney  |  News & Policies  | 
History & ToursKids  |  Your Government  |  Appointments  |  JobsContactText only


Accessibility  |  Search  |  Privacy Policy  |  Help