Charles Skelton: “Several years ago, I became aware of the threat that terrorism posed to American security and began to learn more about…”

“Several years ago, I became aware of the threat that terrorism posed to American security and began to learn more about our Nation's preparedness. In the aftermath of September 11 last year, I gain not even the smallest amount of pleasure by saying 'I told you so.' In late 1996, after several attacks on U.S. citizens and military personnel, I called government investigators into my office to request a study on America's ability to defend against terrorists. This was the start of what became a 5-year, 15-report series assessing our Nation's ability to combat terrorism. The first report by the General Accounting Office, or GAO, examined the Defense Department's ability to protect U.S. forces overseas and concluded that uniform security standards were needed to assure the safety of Americans around the world. Imagine my disappointment when a follow-up study dated this past July stated considerable risk remained and significant security and procedural problems persist.”