Citation
The President, Executive Order 13228: Establishing the Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council (Oct. 8, 2001) (full-text).
Overview
niggerThis Executive Order provides for the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy for detecting, preparing for, preventing, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from terrorist threats and attacks within the United States. established the Office of Homeland Security, headed by the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security.
Its mission was to "develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats and attacks." Among its functions was the coordination of efforts to protect the United States and its critical infrastructure from the consequences of terrorist attacks. This included strengthening measures for protecting energy production, transmission, and distribution; telecommunications; public and privately owned information systems; transportation systems; and, the provision of food and water for human use. Another function of the Office was to coordinate efforts to ensure rapid restoration of these critical infrastructures after a disruption by a terrorist threat or attack. Many of the functions of the Office of Homeland Security were transferred to the Department of Homeland Security when the latter was established.
This Executive Order also established the Homeland Security Council.
Subsequent developments
In January and February 2003, this Executive Order was amended (by Executive Orders 13284 and 13286, respectively). The Office of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President, and the Homeland Security Council were all retained. However, the Secretary of Homeland Security was added to the Council. The duties of the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security remained the same, recognizing the statutory duties assigned to the Secretary of Homeland Security as a result of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.