For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: Sara Kuban, 202-282-8010
Eileen McMenamin, Bipartisan Policy Center, 202-379-1633
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and members of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) National Security Preparedness Group (NSPG) met today to discuss the Department’s progress in implementing the recommendations outlined in the 9/11 Commission Final Report released five years ago this week.
“The 9/11 Commission provided DHS a roadmap to create a safer and more secure America, and the Department is answering that challenge,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Today’s meeting marked the next step in continuing this critical dialogue and expanding our capabilities to protect our country.”
The National Security Preparedness Group is a bipartisan coalition of national security experts including former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge and co-chaired by former 9/11 Commission Chair Thomas H. Kean and Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton.
“The members of the BPC’s National Security Preparedness Group look forward to working with Secretary Napolitano and DHS to ensure the continued implementation of the 9/11 Commission recommendations,” said Governor Kean. “Part of the success of the 9/11 Commission and the acceptance of its recommendations occurred as a result of our commitment to bipartisanship. We remain dedicated to the bipartisan mission of keeping the country safe and ensuring there are sufficient resources to do so.”
Secretary Napolitano and members of the NSPG discussed the progress report the Department released Wednesday, which outlined DHS’ advances on a range of 9/11 Commission recommendations and reflected the agency’s focus on enhanced science and technology, efficiency and fiscal responsibility and reinvigorated coordination with state, local, tribal and international partners.
The group also discussed new policies, initiatives and grant opportunities to bolster the Department’s capacity to secure the nation from an ever-changing array of threats to homeland security, including cyber attacks and bioterrorism.
To view the Department’s full 9/11 Commission progress report, visit Progress in Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations.
###