SECRETARY RUMSFELD STATEMENT ON DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY
June 06, 2002

The first task of the Federal Government is to provide for the National Defense. Because of the new national security environment we face, it is clearly time for a Department of Homeland Security.

The times require new priorities, a need to act and a new sense of urgency.

Since the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, the Department of Defense has been refocusing our attention on the evolving new threats. Indeed, defense of our homeland has been our top priority.

We look forward to working with the newly proposed organization to do everything possible to provide for our country’s national defense.