Tom Ridge became the nation’s first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on January 24, 2003.  The creation of the country’s 15th Cabinet Department marked the largest reorganization of government since the Truman administration and another call to service for the former soldier, Congressman and Governor of Pennsylvania.

 

During his tenure, Secretary Ridge worked with more than 180,000-plus employees from a combined 22 agencies to create an agency that facilitated the flow of people and goods; instituted layered security at air, land, and seaports; developed a unified national response and recovery plan; protected critical infrastructure; integrated new technology and improved information sharing worldwide.  Tom Ridge served as Secretary of this historic and critical endeavor until February 1, 2005.  President Bush said of Tom Ridge:  “In the fight against terrorism, he has played a vital role in protecting the American people from a real and ongoing threat.  He is a long-time friend, and I thank him for his leadership and dedicated service to our country.  America is safer and our government is better able to protect our people because of his hard work.”

 

Twice elected Governor of Pennsylvania, Ridge served as the state’s 43rd Governor from 1995 to 2001.  Known for his commitment to high standards and results, Governor Ridge delivered on his promise to make Pennsylvania “a leader among states and a competitor among nations.”  Governor Ridge’s aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state’s advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment.

 

Born August 26, 1945, in Pittsburgh’s Steel Valley, Governor Ridge was raised in a working-class family in veterans’ public housing in Erie.  He earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967.  After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

 

After returning to Pennsylvania, he earned his law degree and was in private practice before becoming Assistant District Attorney in Erie County.

 

Tom Ridge was elected to Congress in 1982.  He was the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was overwhelmingly re-elected by Pennsylvania voters five times.  Throughout his political career, he has never lost an election.

 

Governor Ridge and his wife, Michele, former executive director of the Erie County Library System, reside in Washington, D.C., and have two children, Lesley and Tommy.