[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 48 (Monday, December 2, 2002)]
[Pages 2099-2100]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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:
 <bullet>    Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States;
 <bullet>    Reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism; and
 <bullet>    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 
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

[[Page 2100]]

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