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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and
Risk Management
Crisis and Emergency Management
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NOTICE: The ICDRM's monthly emergency managment forum, held at the GWU |
| February
2003
Volume 4 - Number 1 |
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Links:
Current events
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An Update on the Appointments for Homeland Security
By: John B. Delaney Jr.
On November 25, 2003 President George W. Bush signed H.R. 5005, the “Homeland Security Act of 2002.” The creation of the Office of Homeland Security marks perhaps the most significant change in the federal government in the past 50 years. The focus of Homeland Security will be to prevent, protect and respond to acts of terrorism on our homeland. To do this; however, the President will have to organize the meshing of many departments and agencies. To do this more effectively positions will need to be created in an effort to fill the gaps and coordinate between the parties involved “Section 103(a)(8) of the Act provides for 12 Assistant Secretary positions without defined titles or duties in the new Department that are to be “appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.” Sections 201(b)(1) and 201(b)(2) of the Act provide for two Assistant Secretary positions with defined titles and duties that are to be “appointed by the President.” The text and structure of the Act make clear that these two presidentially appointed Assistant Secretary positions were created in addition to the 12 unspecified Assistant Secretary positions, and the executive branch shall construe the relevant provisions accordingly.” (Bush, 10/25/02) The following are the nominations and appointments made by President Bush for December 2002 and January 2003: December 18th, 2002 For the position of Under Secretary for Management, President Bush intends to nominate Janet Hale. Ms. Hale comes from the Department of Health and Human Services were she served as Assistant Secretary for Budget, Technology and Finance. For the position of Inspector General, President Bush intends to nominate Clark Kent Ervin. Mr. Ervin is currently the Inspector General at the Department of State. January 7, 2003 For the position of Chief Information Officer, President Bush intends to nominate Steven I. Cooper. Mr. Cooper is currently Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Information Integration in the Office of Homeland Security. The following nominations were sent to the Senate: Thomas J. Ridge, to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Gordon England, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. January 9, 2003 For the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense, President Bush intends to nominate Paul McHale. Mr. McHale served in the House of Representatives from 1993-1999. January 10,2003 For the position of Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, President Bush intends to nominate Michael D. Brown. Mr. Brown is currently the Deputy Director of the FEMA. For the position of Under Secretary for Science and Technology, President Bush intends to nominate Charles E. McQueary. Dr. McQueary is the retired President of General Dynamics. January 21, 2003 For the new position of Under Secretary for Management, DHS, President Bush nominates Janet Hale. January 22, 2003 The Senate confirms Ridge. January 24, 2003 Ridge sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security. REFERENCES: The Washington Post www.whitehouse.gov |