[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.

[[Page 1434]]

    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.