Homeland Security

DATE=1-22-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RIDGE CONFIRMATION (L)

NUMBER=2-298662

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Senate has voted unanimously (94 to zero) to confirm Tom Ridge as Secretary of the new Homeland Security Department. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: Mr. Ridge's confirmation clears the way for him to be sworn in as Secretary in time for the opening of the new Cabinet-level department later this week.

Republican Senator Susan Collins is head of the committee that gave preliminary approval to the nomination before sending it to the full Senate:

/// COLLINS ACT ///

I cannot think of a better person to have at the helm of this new department when it opens its doors this Friday than Governor Ridge.

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Mr. Ridge, whose previous jobs include Governor of Pennsylvania and member of the House of Representatives, had been serving as Director of the White House Office of Homeland Security for the past 15-months.

While joining their Republican counterparts in praising Mr. Ridge, some Democrats also urged him to assure that civil rights would be protected in the U-S war on terrorism. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia:

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It is essential that Governor Ridge understand that he will be responsible, not only for defending the homeland, but also for defending against the abuse of power inside the new department.

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Other Democrats urged the administration to adequately fund the new homeland security agency. They said local law enforcement officials are not adequately prepared to deal with another terrorist attack like those on September 11th 2001. They also said more needs to be done to bolster port and border security.

The creation of the new department will require the largest government reorganization in a half-century, bringing together all or parts of nearly two-dozen federal agencies to better coordinate anti-terrorism efforts. (SIGNED)

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