Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Senate Confirmation of George W. Foresman as Under Secretary for Preparedness

Release Date: 12/19/05 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
December 19, 2005

“I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed George Foresman to be Under Secretary for Preparedness at the Department of Homeland Security.  In July, I introduced a new structure to revamp and bolster our preparedness work.  Among our priorities was establishing a new Directorate for Preparedness to ensure that our work has a focused direction.  George’s confirmation is a critical step in standing up this new Directorate and consolidating the Department’s existing preparedness efforts.

George brings more than 20 years of emergency preparedness experience at various levels of government.  Most recently, he served as an Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Commonwealth Preparedness and was responsible for the Commonwealth’s emergency and disaster preparedness activities, including coordination with the private sector.  I look forward to drawing on his broad expertise as we carry out this vital work to achieve an optimal state of preparedness for our country.

There is an urgent need to enhance preparedness for catastrophic events in this country, whether natural or man made.  We are operating with a common sense approach, concentrating relentlessly on events that pose the greatest potential consequences.  Going forward under George’s leadership, the new Directorate will strengthen our preparedness capabilities so that the nation is ready to meet any type of threat or disaster it may face.”

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