For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 26, 2002
Memorandum to Federal Employees
Yesterday I signed into law legislation to create the new
Department of Homeland Security. It will unite our efforts under one
roof and behind one primary mission: to protect the American people
from another terrorist attack.
Achieving that goal is my highest and most urgent priority as
President. Our success is made possible by the hard work and
unwavering dedication you've shown before and after September 11th.
Americans owe you their gratitude for helping to keep their families
safe and their communities secure.
As you know, the Department of Homeland Security will focus on
three critical objectives to:
- Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States;
- Reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism; and
- Minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural
disasters.
We will form the new Department as soon as possible. Under the
terms of the initial plan I sent to the Congress, nearly all the
affected agencies would be brought together on March 1 of next year.
We are assembling a great leadership team, made up of proven
decision-makers who know how to get the job done. They share your
vision and commitment to a more secure homeland. I intend to nominate
Governor Tom Ridge to serve as Secretary of the new Department of
Homeland Security, Mr. Gordon England to serve as Deputy Secretary, and
Mr. Asa Hutchinson to serve as Under Secretary for Border and
Transportation Security.
Many of you are familiar with Governor Tom Ridge. As the Nation's
first Homeland Security Advisor, he exercised tremendous leadership on
a complex, multifaceted topic. For him, homeland security is a
national effort, not simply a Federal one. Governor Ridge served as
Governor of Pennsylvania for almost 6 years. Prior to that he was
elected six times to the United States House of Representatives with
overwhelming majorities. He is also a decorated Vietnam veteran.
Governor Ridge has earned my trust and the trust of the American
people. He will make a great Secretary of the Department of Homeland
Security.
Secretary of the Navy Gordon England will leave his position to
serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Prior to his time at the Department of the Navy, Secretary England
served as executive vice president of General Dynamics Corporation from
1997-2001. In addition to
his background in mergers and acquisitions, his private sector
experience includes management experience at Combat Systems Group,
General Dynamics Fort Worth aircraft company, and General Dynamics Land
Systems. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and the M.J.
Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University.
Asa Hutchinson currently serves as Administrator of Drug
Enforcement (DEA). As head of DEA, Administrator Hutchinson has
focused his efforts at dismantling high-profile drug trafficking
organizations including the Arellano Felix organization. Prior to his
tenure at DEA, Administrator Hutchinson served for three terms in the
United States House of Representatives where he served on the House
Judiciary Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence.
Once again, thank you for your dedication and commitment to
homeland security and to our great country. During this time of
transition it is extremely important that you continue to stay focused
on your important duties and responsibilities. I appreciate all that
you have done -- and all that we are about to do together during this
historic chapter in our Nation's history.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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