Dateline: 9/20/01

As President George W. Bush addressed the nation tonight, he unveiled a new plan to strengthen American security, the creation of the Office of Homeland Security. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge has been nominated to head this office, a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to the President. Ridge was previously on the short list of vice-presidential candidates during Bush's campaign, is a military veteran and a good friend of President Bush.

In his speech, President Bush said that Gov. Ridge will "lead, oversee and coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against terrorism and respond to any attacks that may come." His new role has him coordinating the counterterrorism functions now scattered across several organizations, including the CIA, FBI, National Guard, and state and local police, firefighters and emergency response teams. Ridge accepted the new position this afternoon and plans to resign as Pennsylvania's governor on Oct. 5. Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker will succeed him as governor for the 1 1/2 years remaining of his term.

Gov. Ridge said he was "saddened that this job is even necessary, but it is. The task is enormous. Our nation faces an unusual threat. Much will be asked of its citizens but I know they are up to the task." He also said that the job was going to include "both offense and defense" - to prevent terrorism, to create a national response to it, and to develop plans to protect the nation's transportation, power and food systems.  "Beyond that," he said, "all I know is that I have a lot of work to do."

About Tom Ridge
Born in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, Governor Tom Ridge was raised in a working-class family in veterans' public housing in Erie, PA. He earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor. After returning to Pennsylvania and earning his law degree, he became an assistant district attorney in Erie County. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 where he served six terms. Governor Ridge was sworn in as Pennsylvania's 43rd governor on January 17, 1995 and was elected for a second term by an overwhelming margin in November 1998.

Accomplishments as Governor
Upon taking office, Governor Ridge promised to make Pennsylvania "a leader among states and a competitor among nations." Judging by the accomplishments of his 6 1/2 years as Pennsylvania's governor, it appears that he has met that promise. Major accomplishments include:

• The largest tax cut in PA state history - nearly $775 million
• Introduction of electric and natural gas deregulation, bringing Pennsylvania to the forefront as the first state to enable consumers to shop competitively for both electricity and natural gas
• Creation of the first-in-the-nation "Tax-Free PC" holiday
• Won passage of charter public schools, alternative education for disruptive students and increased standards and professional development opportunities for teachers
• A historic $125 million was invested in reading and libraries and more than $200 million in education technology
• State support of PA public schools has increased at nearly twice the rate of inflation
• More than 100,000 children in Pennsylvania now get free or low-cost health care through PA's nationally recognized Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - up 145% since Governor Ridge took office
• Governor Ridge's common-sense Land Recycling Program is a national model and over $650 million was invested in environmental projects during his period in office
• Sweeping changes to the state's welfare system, resulting in more than 210,000 families getting off and staying off of welfare. Pennsylvania's welfare rolls are at their lowest in three decades.

Pennsylvanians will sorely miss Governor Ridge but wish him all the best in his new mission to protect our nation. President Bush couldn't have chosen a better man for the job.

Related Resources:

Primer on U.S. Defense Policy
The US spends over $295 billion a year for defense. What do we get for all that money? Just how is the United States defended, and against what? From U.S. Government Info Guide Robert Longley.

Are You Going to Be Drafted?
In the wake of the terrorist attacks, many have been wondering if there will be a military draft. What happens during a draft? Who is likely to be drafted? How likely is a draft? Do we really need a draft? From U.S. Military Guide, Rod Powers.

Gov. Tom Ridge Accepts Cabinet Position
More on the new appointment from Lancaster/Central PA Guide, Denise Witmer.

PA Lieutenant Governor, Mark Schweiker
Learn more about the man who will soon be leading the state of Pennsylvania.

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