 Security Chief Drew Dix to Head Panel Requested by President September 10, 2002
"Though we are better prepared today to deal with any terrorist attack, it is apparent we will remain a possible target for the foreseeable future," Knowles said. "As Governor of Alaska, I take very seriously the responsibility entrusted in me to protect Alaskans and our key and critical infrastructure. Establishing a state Office of Homeland Security is an important step forward in accomplishing the National Strategy for Homeland Security." The task force will include 25 Alaskans from local, state, and federal governments and the private sector. Members include the mayors of Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Valdez, several state commissioners, representatives of the military and other federal agencies, and private sector participants representing the energy, public utility, telecommunications, hospital, transportation, and banking industries. "As we approach September 11th, our thoughts turn to that unimaginable tragedy," Knowles said. "We remember the victims and their families and we honor them. We remember and honor the heroes who fell that day coming to the rescue and those serving today to protect us: soldiers, police, firefighters, emergency workers, and volunteers. As the President and Congress have declared, they are all patriots." On Wednesday, Alaska will commemorate September 11th as Patriot Day. To mark the day, Knowles has issued an executive proclamation and asks all Alaskans to observe a moment of silence Wednesday at 8:46 a.m. Alaska time and pray for the victims and their families. The state and national flags will be lowered to half-staff. "As we pray for the victims, we remain unbowed," Knowles said. "Contrary to what the terrorists wanted, America did not shrink. We reasserted our core values of freedom and democracy and sent our powerful military overseas to root out terrorism." Alaska responded to the September 11th attacks with several actions:
"Alaska's National Guard rose to the occasion, too," Knowles said. "More than 200 Guardsmen and women volunteered at 19 airports across the state to augment security. No one had to be ordered. Our Air Guard flew countless refueling missions throughout the Pacific in support of the movement of active duty troops and material." According the news release, Knowles' Disaster Policy Cabinet gave the Governor a comprehensive package of recommendations that was designed to improve security, and would have improved our ability to respond to natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes. Ultimately, the Legislature accepted federal funds earmarked for homeland security efforts, and appropriated less that $2 million in state general funds, mostly to reimburse state agencies for expenses that directly followed the aftermath of September 11. At the end of the session, Major Gen. Phil Oates, commissioner of the state Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, was blunt when he observed that some in the Legislature were willing to take much more risk than he felt was acceptable. Recognizing that vulnerabilities still exist, the state established an Office of Homeland Security in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at Fort Richardson under the direction of Gen. Oates, and named a respected and experienced Alaskan from Fairbanks, retired Major Drew Dix, as deputy commissioner for Homeland Security. Dix, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions in Vietnam, will now head the state Task Force on Homeland Security. After a distinguished 20-year career, Dix retired as a Major and has worked since as a consultant in both the private and public sectors in the areas of security and special operations. Two years ago, he wrote a book about his medal-winning experience as a counter-terrorism expert in the Army. "Drew has the immense responsibility to expand the work we have already begun, and will fully coordinate state efforts with the appropriate public and private organizations in Alaska," Knowles said. The Task Force will hold its first meeting in October 2002 with subsequent meetings to occur monthly or as required. Members of the Governor's Task Force on Homeland Security include:
An advisory
panel to the task force is also being established with members
to be named later.
Source of News Release:
|
||