[JYO] Code YELLOW now official - REMARKS FOR SECRETARY TOM RIDGE

REMARKS FOR SECRETARY TOM RIDGE THREAT LEVEL  PRESS CONFERENCE Remarks by 
Secretary Tom Ridge on Lowering National Threat  Level to Yellow 
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 9, 2004 
Good afternoon.  Three weeks ago, the United States Government raised  the 
national threat level from an "Elevated" to a "High" risk of terrorist  attack 
-- or as it's more commonly known -- from Code Yellow to Code Orange. 
Today, based on a careful review of the available intelligence, we have  
lowered the threat level to Yellow.  We are still concerned about the  
continued 
threats, but the threat conditions that we've been following have  diminished.  
With the passing of the holidays and many large gatherings  that occurred 
during this time, we have made the decision to come down to  Yellow. 
When we went to Code Orange on December 21, we asked the nation's governors,  
mayors, homeland security professionals, international partners and the 
public  to undertake actions that required speed and reach.  I'm pleased to 
report  
that the level of response and resolve to that call to action was exceptional 
 and virtually unprecedented.  Mos of you saw the scope of protective  
measures that were undertaken.  You saw an increased police presence at  
shopping 
malls, train stations and power plants.  You saw planes sitting on  tarmacs.  
Perhaps you stood through longer lines.  On behalf of the  President and 
myself, 
I want to thank everyone who offered their efforts and  patience during this 
time. 
I know that we are all thankful that nothing happened.  The holidays  have 
passed; the potential danger that large gatherings present during the  holidays 
has passed.  They passed safely and without incident.  We  believe this is a 
testament to the incredible level of awareness, information  sharing and 
communication that stretched across the country and the world.  We know from 
experience that the increased security and vigilance that  accompany a raise in 
the 
threat level does make a difference in deterring and  disrupting  a terrorist 
attack.   
Let me emphasize that, although we have returned to Yellow, we have not let  
our guard down.  Yellow stil means that we're at an elevated level of  risk.  
And we will maintain particular vigilance around some critical  resources and 
locales.  And so, the force of homeland security continues to  move forward. 
Just in the last three weeks, we took important steps to increase this  
nation's level of protection.  For example, we issued aviation emergency  
amendments to enhance security relating to passenger and commercial aircraft  
flying 
to, from and over the United States, and provided air cover to several of  our 
nation's cities.  We deployed state-of-the-art sensor detection  equipment that 
can readily scan for radiological devices and bioagents. We  launched US-
VISIT, a program that uses biometrics to expedite the processing of  foreign 
travelers and stop known or suspected terrorists at our borders.  
As I mentioned, some of these security steps also led to planes sitting on  
runways for extended periods of time.  Most of you will agree that we  always 
want to put safety first.  But we also want to minimie  inconvenience.  I 
assure you that we will continue to look for ways to do  so.  
Everything we do is designed to keep planes flying, bring loved ones closer,  
enable sports fans to gather, help businesses stay open -- in other words, to 
 keep this country moving.  And to terrorists who think America would ever  
do otherwise, this country again has proven you wrong.  Your goal is to sow  
fear.  But you will not succeed in the United States of America. 
We are a free people.  We are united, resilient and resolved.  We  will 
continue to go forward with our lives -- blessed by our freedoms and  comforted 
in 
the knowledge that, across this country and around the world,  skilled and 
dedicated people are at work to keep us safe. 
Thank you.

Other related posts: