The President’s most important job is to protect and defend the American people. Last year, President Bush proposed and Congress approved a single, unified Department of Homeland Security to improve protection against today’s threats and be flexible enough to help meet the unknown threats of the future.

Since its inception on January 24, 2003, the new Department of Homeland Security has:

• Orchestrated and launched Operation Liberty Shield, the first comprehensive, national plan to increase protection of America's citizens and infrastructure;
• Deployed new technologies and tools at land, air and sea borders;
• Launched the Homeland Security Command Center, a national 24-7 watch operation; 
• Introduced the Ready campaign, a national multimedia public information program designed to build citizen preparedness by giving Americans the basic tools they need to better prepare themselves and encouraging them to "Be Ready." Since its launch, Ready.gov has become one of the most visited sites in America; 
• Expedited distribution of millions of dollars in grant monies to states and cities with more to come; 
• Initiated a comprehensive reorganization of the border agencies as well as other administrative measures to increase departmental services and capabilities to better protect our borders and facilitate legitimate travel and commerce; 
• Completed transition of majority of component agencies into the Department in the largest federal reorganization since World War II and; 
• Conducted a series of listening sessions at strategic ports throughout the U.S. and began development of the vessel, facility and port security plans required by the Maritime Security Act of 2002.

Other accomplishments to strengthen security and improve preparedness services and response include:

Ensuring Safe Travel

• At airports, train stations and on major highways, more Police and National Guard personnel have been deployed to ensure Americans will continue to travel safely. Security and airline personnel strictly review all identification to make sure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive areas in our nation’s airports.
• To better protect airline passengers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun training pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit.
• In addition to increasing security, TSA worked to improve customer service and eliminate unnecessary hassle by coordinating screening across different forms of transportation. For example, passengers disembarking from cruise ships in Miami can have their bags screened for their flight home right at the dock.

Keeping Terrorists and Weapons of Mass Destruction from Crossing Our Borders

• The Department’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection has provided stronger security along our southern border, adding to its fleet of helicopters to aid in border enforcement.
• The Department launched Operation Joint Venture to identify and remove persons with unknown or questionable identities with access to restricted areas of military installations. As a result, 37 people were arrested and 28 removed from the country.
• Off our coasts and in our harbors, Coast Guard forces are at the leading edge of martime security. During Operation Liberty Shield, the Coast Guard completed thousands of air and surface patrols. To further enhance maritime security, the Coast Guard recently purchased 700 high-speed vessels with communications systems able to coordinate with other homeland security agencies.
• Officers at our borders and ports of entry have been equipped with technology to better detect the presence of radioactive material.
• The Department’s Office of Air and Marine Interdiction is providing 24-7 security coverage over Washington, D.C. with extended coverage during periods of high alert.

Protecting Your Health

• Federal, State and local governments are working together to better prepare for the threat of bioterrorism. The Department of Homeland Security is helping train state and local officials in how to respond to bioterrorism and provide care to those affected.
• The Department’s science and technology division recently established the Biowatch program in several major cities, deploying equipment to quickly detect the spread of terrorist agents like anthrax in time to distribute life-saving medicines to citizens affected.

Safeguarding Vital Utilites and Infrastructure

• The Department of Homeland Security has provided for increased security at critical facilities for water supplies, power plants, bridges, and subway systems, reducing the chances of an attack that could disrupt our daily life or the economy.
• The Department established a new office dedicated to cybersecurity. The Department is working with private industry to help eliminate key vulnerabilities in computer networks and reduce the risk of cyberterrorism.

Stopping Terrorists and Those That Support Terror

• The FBI is working to keep Americans safe from threats by tracking down and arresting terrorists and those who support them.
• The Department of Homeland Security is now the leading partner in the effort to dismantle the financial infrastructure of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

Response Teams Ready

• The Department of Homeland Security has placed response teams throughout the country ready to react quickly in the event of an emergency.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency is helping local fire departments with a $750 million grant program will help better train, equip, and prepare the nation’s firefighters.
• Citizen Corps is coordinating volunteer efforts to make our communities safer and in cooperation with the National Volunteer Fire Council, has launched a campaign to raise public awareness about emergency preparedness and fire safety.