[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

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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.