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Current threat levels and their explanation.
Florida's Interim Commissioner of
Public Safety is Daryl McLaughlin. Please visit the
state's website
if you would like to contact Mr. McLaughlin or desire further
information on Homeland Security in Florida.
Memorandum to Federal
Employees - from George Bush
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 |
Safety, Security
and Inspections
Department