| The issue
of homeland security is not a new phenomenon in the United States
nor is it restricted to the US alone. Every country in the world has
mechanisms in place to guarantee security for their citizens. But
in the US, the issue of homeland security has taken on a new dimension,
an added impetus and scope and a higher level of urgency, because
of the terrorists attacks on 9-11-2001. Immediately after this tragic
event, departments and agencies both at the federal and state levels
took steps to strengthen security. At the Federal level, a sum of
$10.6 billion from the 2002 Fiscal Year Emergency Budget Supplemental
was set aside for financing homeland security. The President appointed
former governor of the State of Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Ridge as the
first director of homeland security. The first Presidential Directive
on homeland security has this to say: "Securing Americans from
terrorist threats or attacks is a critical national security function.
It requires extensive coordination across a broad spectrum of Federal,
Sate, and local agencies to reduce the potential for terrorist attacks
or to mitigate damage should such and attack occur. The Homeland Security
Council (HSC) shall ensure coordination of all homeland security-related
activities among executive departments and agencies and promote the
effective developments and implementation of all homeland security
policies". |