Homeland Security Act of 2002: 10th Anniversary
Homeland Security Digital Library Blog 2012-11-24
Summary:
This Sunday, November 25, will be the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Homeland Security Act (HSA) of 2002. Passed by the 107th Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush, the act fundamentally changed how the United States defends its citizens and its borders from malicious threats. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security was the most far-reaching reform enacted by the law.
In his remarks while signing the Homeland Security Act, President Bush made clear why the new law was necessary:
"The new department will analyze threats, will guard our borders and airports, protect our critical infrastructure, and coordinate the response of our nation for future emergencies. The Department of Homeland Security will focus the full resources of the American government on the safety of the American people. This essential reform was carefully considered by Congress and enacted with strong bipartisan majorities. [...] Dozens of agencies charged with homeland security will now be located within one Cabinet department with the mandate and legal authority to protect our people. America will be better able to respond to any future attacks, to reduce our vulnerability and, most important, prevent the terrorists from taking innocent American lives."