“Pennsylvania has played a significant role in the history of America, and Secretary Ridge has kept this tradition alive as the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.  After September 11^th, President Bush and Congress created a new agency committed to keeping Americans safe, and through the dedicated leadership of Secretary Ridge, the Department of Homeland Security is up to the task.  Secretary Ridge helped shape the agency that protects our borders and guards our waterways during one of the most difficult times in history – and he did so by keeping the safety of Americans as his highest priority.  His unwavering commitment to preventing terrorist attacks here in America is now his record of accomplishment.  I commend and applaud Mr. Ridge for undertaking such an enormous endeavor and for his success with it.”