President George W. Bush signed a law today creating a vast Department of Homeland Security to prevent terrorist attacks on the United States, setting in motion the biggest government reorganization in half a century that could take years to complete.
"The continuing threat of terrorism, the threat of mass murder on our own soil will be met by a unified, effective response," Mr Bush said at a White House signing ceremony.
Mr Bush picked White House adviser Mr Tom Ridge to head the new department, which will consolidate all or parts of 22 existing federal agencies, including the Coast Guard, Secret Service and Border Patrol, with a budget of about $40 billion.
Navy Secretary Mr Gordon England will serve as deputy secretary.
Mr Bush said it would be an "immense task" setting up the new Cabinet-level agency, which is expected to have 170,000 employees. "The effort will take time and focus and steady resolve," Mr Bush said. "Adjustments will be needed along the way. Yet this is pressing business and the hard work of building a new department begins today."