Fraternal Order of Police
Strongly Supports
the President's National Strategy for Homeland Security
Steve Young, National
President of the Fraternal Order of Police, hailed
the release of the first National Strategy for Homeland Security document
as the "next step" in the war against terrorism.
President George W. Bush and Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland
Security, released the document today. "It's a comprehensive
plan to
prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce our nation's
vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage and recovery time from
attacks that do occur," said Young. "The strategy is very much a
product of
the feedback that the President and Governor Ridge have received from the
F.O.P. and other organizations involved with the formulation of the
strategy."
Earlier this year, Young was appointed by President Bush to be a member of
the Homeland Security Advisory Council, which provides the President with
advice on homeland security matters. As a member of the Council,
Young has
had the opportunity to apprise the President of the positions and thoughts
of the F.O.P. about the role law enforcement will play in homeland
security.
"Like any effective strategy, it is flexible," said Young.
"It will adapt,
as the nation will, as we learn more about our enemy and their means of
attack. Our nation has a formidable task ahead of it, but I believe,
as
President Bush does, that we are equal to the task."
The plan identifies six Critical Mission Areas: Intelligence and
Warning,
Border and Transportation Security, Domestic Counterterrorism, Protecting
Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets, Defending Against Catastrophic
Threats and Emergency Preparedness and Response. A total of eighty
initiatives for Federal, State and local governments--as well as for the
private sector--are outlined in the national strategy.
"Our next challenge," said Young "will be implementing this
strategy. It's
a national plan, not a Federal plan. State and local governments,
and the
private sector, must be part of this effort if we're to succeed."
The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor
organization in the United States, with more than 300,000 members.
Chris L. Granberg
Senior Legislative Liaison
_____________________
Fraternal Order of Police
National Legislative Office
(o) (202) 547 - 8189
(f) (202) 547 - 8190
grandlodgefop.org
