    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [November 26, 2002]
    [Pages 2136-2137]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on the Establishment of the Department of Homeland Security
    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

    [[Page 2137]]

    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

    Note: H.R. 5005, approved November 25, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
    296.