PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We take you straight back to Washington, where homeland security director Tom Ridge is at the podium. Let's listen to what he's having to say to the mayors right now.</s>TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR: ... executive order was signed, creating the Office of Homeland Security, the president has been engaged with the office in developing the comprehensive national strategy for this country. He knows the valuable contribution all elected officials make every single day in their own communities to build a safer and more secure country. The president understands what comes first in homeland security: our first responders. They died for their country on September 11; they risked their lives every day before and since. They deserve and will get the support of this administration. The president understands that homeland security is a national effort, not just a federal one. As mayors and county officials and governors work together to develop their anti-terrorism plans, and this White House, working with you, in support of that effort to put those plans into action, the president understands the need to create a 21st-century partnership with the federal government, the states and the cities, working together like never before to combat terrorism. And finally, our president understands that homeland security can provide long-term benefits to the cities and communities and the people you govern: a better public health system, efficient borders, more tools to fight violent crime, improved technology, more responsive government. The president's goal, this country's goal: a safe and more secure America, a stronger and better America. For all of these reasons, I am honored and privileged and proud to introduce the leader of this national effort, the president of the United States, George W. Bush.</s>GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you all. Thanks. Please be seated. Thank you. Welcome to the White House.</s>BUSH: It's a privilege for me and for Tom to be with the country's most accountable elected officials.
President Bush and Tom Ridge Speak to Conference of Mayors