[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 41 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Pages 1433-1434]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Tom Ridge as Director of the
Office of Homeland Security
October 8, 2001
Please be seated. Thank you all. Welcome to the White House.
Today I signed an Executive order creating a new Homeland Security
Office, charged with strengthening America's protections against
terrorism. And I've picked a really good man to lead that office. In
case you hadn't figured it out, it's Tom Ridge. [Laughter]
Together, we will confront the threat of terrorism. We will take
strong precautions aimed at preventing terrorist attacks and prepare to
respond effectively if they might come again. We will defend our
country, and while we do so, we will not sacrifice the freedoms that
make our land unique.
The best defense against terror is a global offensive against
terror, wherever it might be found. Yesterday we opened another front on
the war on terrorism as we began conventional military operations
designed to destroy terrorist training camps and military installations
of the Taliban Government.
Secretary Don Rumsfeld, who is leading a really fine team, will
brief the country this afternoon. But he informed me this morning that
the military mission of yesterday was executed as planned, and at the
same time, that our good Nation dropped over 37,000 kits of food and
medicine. This is an important part of a war already underway that is
being conducted on many fronts.
The first shot of the war was fired several weeks ago, as we began
freezing bank accounts and cutting off funding of known terrorist
organizations and front groups that support them. And I appreciate so
very much the Secretary of Treasury's work, Paul O'Neill.
We've worked aggressively on the diplomatic front, developing a
broad and strong coalition of countries who are united with us and
involved in our campaign. And Mr. Secretary Powell and his team have
done a remarkable job of rallying the lovers of freedom to our side. Mr.
Secretary, thank you.
Our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are working around the
clock and around the world. Attorney General Ashcroft and George Tenet
and Bob Mueller are all doing a fantastic job of making sure we've got
the best intelligence and the best information, not only to protect
ourselves but to bring the evildoers to justice.
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On all efforts and all fronts, we're going to be ongoing and
relentless as we tighten the net of justice. This will be a long war. It
requires understanding and patience from the American people. Members of
my Cabinet understand that, and I appreciate them all being here. These
are fine Americans who understand the nature of the conflict and are
prepared to join me in doing whatever it takes to win the war, not only
for our country today but for generations to come tomorrow.
It's an honor for me to welcome the Ridge family here to the White
House: the former first lady of Pennsylvania, Michele Ridge, and of
course, Lesley and Tommy, thank you all for being here, and thank you
for your sacrifice.
I want to thank all of Tom's friends for coming up from
Pennsylvania. It looks like he's got a few who don't live in
Pennsylvania, as well. Thank you all for being here. I'm so appreciative
that Clarence Thomas is here to swear in Tom. I appreciate the Mayor of
Washington, DC, being here. Mr. Mayor, thank you for your cooperation.
It's just the beginning of what we need to do together to make sure
our Nation's Capital safe and secure. As we've learned, we face new
threats, and therefore, we need new defenses for our country. And I've
found the right man to coordinate that effort.
Tom Ridge has been a chief executive. He is a leader who has shown
he can draw the best out of people and out of organizations. He's a
decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam war. He's a patriot who has
heard the sound of battle.
He's seen the reach of terror in a field in his own State. He's a
man of compassion who has seen what evil can do. I've given Tom and the
Office of Homeland Security a mission: to design a comprehensive,
coordinated national strategy to fight terror here at home.
We face a united, determined enemy. We must have a united and
determined response. The Homeland Security Office has a series of
specific goals and will have my authority to meet them: One, take the
strongest possible precautions against terrorism by bringing together
the best information and intelligence--in the war on terror, knowledge
is power; strengthen and help protect our transportation systems, our
food and water systems, and our critical infrastructure by making them
less vulnerable to attack; respond effectively to terrorist actions if
they come. The Office will coordinate Federal assistance with State and
local efforts. America is going to be prepared.
The Office will work in conjunction with the new Homeland Security
Council, chaired by me and made up of my Cabinet and other senior
officials. The Office mission will have the full attention and complete
support of the very highest levels of our Government.
I know that many Americans at this time have fears. We've learned
that America is not immune from attack. We've seen that evil is real.
It's hard for us to comprehend the mentality of people that will destroy
innocent folks the way they have. Yet, America is equal to this
challenge, make no mistake about it. They've roused a mighty giant. A
compassionate land will rise united to not only protect ourselves, not
only make our homeland as secure as possible but to bring the evildoers
to justice so that our children might live in freedom.
It's now my honor to call Clarence Thomas up here to swear in Tom
Ridge.
Note: The President spoke at 10:53 a.m. in the East Room at the White
House. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Anthony A. Williams of
Washington, DC. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
Secretary also included the remarks of Director Ridge.