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Bush Praises Scientists for Work to Defend America
Monday, July 22, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

"We're depending on you to develop the tools we need to lift the dark threat of terrorism for our nation ... and the world."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Bush spoke to scientists and support personnel at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Ill. Bush also used the stop to push for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, saying such a department would help the government focus efforts on protecting America.

Bush viewed a number or projects from national labs around the country that will help secure borders, detect chemical or biological attacks and aid first responders as they answer the call to duty. "What I saw were new technologies that our scientists are developing to help us secure the homeland," he said.

Americans are grateful for the work of these scientists, he said, but the government must be organized to support their efforts and coordinate the responses of many different agencies. He said more than 100 different agencies have some part in homeland security. "Despite the best intentions in those agencies, this inevitably leads to a dispersal of authority," Bush said.

The current setup drains resources and clouds accountability. While some agencies in the new department would have secondary missions, "their primary mission is to recognize the new world in which we live. The world has changed and so must our government ... ," Bush said.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Dan