Pete Sessions: “I rise to express my admiration for Governor Ridge. I have over the weeks and months observed him in his leadership…”

“I rise to express my admiration for Governor Ridge. I have over the weeks and months observed him in his leadership role. I believe he has performed exceptionally well. This Nation was attacked on September 11. We remember that vividly. We also remember the Nation's determination to do a better job of protecting our homeland. The President looked all over the country. He picked somebody to lead the effort to bring together State and local and Federal agencies in a way that would enhance dramatically our ability to be safe from terrorist attack. It was not talk he wanted; he wanted leadership, he wanted action. So, he created the Office of Homeland Security in the White House right next to him. He chose to head that critical agency someone he knew, someone he had grown to respect as a fellow Governor who had a record of achievement and excellence and professionalism. He chose a man who understood State agencies as well as Federal agencies. He chose a man who served in the U.S. Congress and who had served in the military, winning combat medals for his actions in Vietnam. He chose the kind of person we needed at that time. It was a thankless task. Many said it could not be done. Many said we would not be able to prevent further attacks. Anybody taking that job had to know that they were taking great personal risk because anything that did happen would be their fault. They would have to answer for it. I am so impressed with Governor Ridge.”