    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [January 24, 2003]
    [Pages 79-80]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Tom Ridge
    as Secretary of Homeland Security
    January 24, 2003

        The President. Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. Welcome to
    the White House, and welcome to this historic moment. As of today, the
    law creating the United States Department of Homeland Security comes
    into effect. And now this Department has its first Secretary, Thomas
    Joseph Ridge.
        Homeland Security becomes the 15th executive department of my
    Cabinet. It begins a vital mission in the defense of our country. We've
    learned that vast oceans no longer protect us from the dangers of a new
    era. This Government has a responsibility to confront the threat of
    terror wherever it is found.
        And that is why we're taking the battle to America's enemies,
    disrupting their networks; we're destroying their camps. We've got them
    on the run, and we're going to keep them on the run.
        And at home, we are taking every measure to protect the American
    people against a serious and ongoing threat. The Department of Homeland
    Security will lead a comprehensive and unified effort to defend this
    Nation. The Department will analyze threats, guard our borders and
    airports, safeguard critical infrastructure, and coordinate the response
    of our Nation to future emergencies.
        Under the leadership of Tom Ridge, more than 170,000 dedicated
    Americans, dedicated professionals, will have the overriding mission of
    protecting their fellow Americans.
        In October of 2001, when I established the office--the White House
    Office of Homeland Security, I knew immediately that Tom was the right
    man for the assignment. He's a decisive, clear-thinking executive who
    knows how to solve problems. He's a person of integrity and a person of
    good judgment. At the White House, he has done an outstanding job, and
    he's earned the gratitude of the American people.
        This week he earned an unanimous vote of confirmation. And I want to
    thank the United States Senate for its swift action. This new Department
    will face many challenges in the year to come. The American people can
    be certain that the mission of homeland security will be carried out
    with focus and resolve, with the resources the task requires. And the
    American people can know as well that the Department is under

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    the command of a superb leader who has my confidence.
        Congratulations, Tom, and thank you for serving our country.
        Secretary Ridge. Thank you, Mr. President.
        The President. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:20 p.m. in the Cross Hall at the White
    House. The related Executive order of January 23 on actions in
    connection with the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security
    is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.