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The United States '''[[Office of Homeland Security]]''' '''Office was established after the events of Homeland Security Web Site''': http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/; also see White House web site for information, articles, press announcements[[September 11, 2001]] and related links on was subsequently reformed as the Office of Homeland Security: http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/. Cabinet level '''Office [[Department of Homeland Security Act]]''': Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107. Although officially formed post 9-296) plus an Executive Order dated February 2811, 2003, by President George Walker Bush to transfer certain agencies and the agency components was likely planned prior to the Department of Homeland Securityattacks, and as the delegation integration of appropriate responsibilities to the Secretary [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) and local emergency response activities was well under way in Summer 2001 under the supervision of Homeland SecurityU.S. === Recent Press Releases === Vice President [[Operation Liberty ShieldDick Cheney]]: Statement by Homeland Security Secretary . Upon the formation of the agency, [[Tom Ridge]] (Operation Liberty Shield launched Mondayresigned his position as Governor of Pennsylvania to become Director of the new agency. The agency was criticized for having no clear role, March 17no clear budgetary control, 2003). The Department of Homeland Security in consultation with and for having difficulties establishing control over the [[Homeland Security CouncilFBI]], [[BATF]], has made the decision to raise the [[national threat levelDEA]] from an Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack or Level Orangeand other traditionally independent agencies. The  == Initial Appointments ==*Admiral [[Intelligence CommunitySteve Abbot]] believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and Coalition targets worldwide in to be Deputy Director of the event Office of a UHomeland Security.S - led military campaign against Saddam Hussein *[[Mark A. A large volume Holman]] to be Deputy Assistant to the President; served as Chief of reporting across a range of sources, some of which are highly reliable, indicates that Al-Qaida probably would attempt Staff and Administrative Assistant to launch terrorist attacks against Governor Ridge while he was in the U.S. interests claiming they were defending Muslims or the "Iraqi people" rather than Saddam Hussein's regime. While the March 1 arrest of senior Al Qaida operative, Khalid Shaykh Muhammad Congress (KSM1983-1991) has put the Al-Qaida senior leadership on the defensive - and will be debilitating in the long term -- the Intelligence Community believes that KSMGovernor's capture will not necessarily affect operations that are ready or nearly ready for executionOffice as Chief of Staff until December 2000. There are many recent indications that Al-Qaida's planning includes Holman joins the use of chemicalWhite House from [[Blank, biologicalRome, Comisky and/or radiological materialsMcCauley]] in Washington, D.C. Intelligence reporting also indicates that while Al-Qaida and those sympathetic *[[Becky Halkias]] to their cause are a principal threat, Iraqi state agents, Iraqi surrogate groups, other regional extremist organizations, and ad hoc groups or disgruntled individuals not connected to existing organizations or state agencies, may use this time period be Deputy Assistant to conduct terrorist attacks against the U.S., or our interests abroadPresident for Legislative Affairs; served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Federal Affairs in Governor Ridge's Washington Office. In recent months, there have been reports of suspicious activity in and around military facilities, ports, waterways, general infrastructure (bridges, dams, power generating facilities), and targets that are considered symbolic *[[Carl M. Buckholz]] to be Special Assistant to U.S. power the President and influence. The discovery of ricin production in London raises Executive Secretary for the concern Office of the Intelligence Community that extremists are planning Homeland Security; previously, Special Assistant to follow through on longstanding threats of poison plots against U.S, British and Israeli interests - and possibly other targets in Europe. The Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with numerous departments of the federal government has begun implementing Senator [[increased protective measuresJohn Heinz]] under a comprehensive national plan to protect ; joins the Homeland: "Operation Liberty Shield." Operation Liberty Shield will increase security at our bordersWhite House from Blank, strengthen transportation sector protectionsRome, enhance security at our critical infrastructure, increase public health preparedness Comisky and make sure all federal response assets can be deployed quicklyMcCauley in Philadelphia. Tonight, I have spoken *[[Barbara Chaffee]] to the nation's Governors and asked them be Special Assistant to deploy the National Guard or additional police forces to improve security at critical locations throughout their states. Other state, local President and private sector leaders are also being contacted to engage their support to increase Public Liaison for the nation's security. These heightened security measures will help deter terrorism and increase protection Office of America and Americans. In the meantimeHomeland Security; served Governor Ridge since 1995, most recently as on the other occasions when the national threat level has been increased, we encourage members Deputy Secretary at Pennsylvania Department of the public to continue their daily work, family Community and leisure activities with a heightened awarenessEconomic Development. See Office *[[Susan Neely]] to be Special Assistant to President and Director of Communications for Homeland Security web site for Operation Liberty Shield Fact Sheet and Operation Liberty Shield Press Briefing by Secretary Tom Ridge.[http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/] === External Links =Related SourceWatch Resources == *[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011008-2.html Executive Order Establishing Office [Department of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council.] ]*[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011008-3.html Governor Tom Ridge Sworn-In to Lead [Homeland Security.defense]] *[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030124.html Executive Order: Amendment of Executive Orders, and Other Actions, in Connection with the Establishment of the Department of Homeland Security.] *[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030124-5.html Tom Ridge Sworn as Secretary of Homeland Security.] *[http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/ "Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness"] from the FEMA or *[http://www.citizencorps.gov/ Citizen Corps web site.]