DHS | Department of Homeland Security | Remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge at a Customs and Border Protection Press Conference:
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 20, 2003
SECRETARY RIDGE: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As many of you note, I just had the opportunity to speak with some of the nation's top leaders representing nearly 550 international trade and transportation communities. And it is in partnership with the men and women of these communities in this industry that since September 11th we've been working to really enhance the security of the supply chain that drives the extraordinary economic engine of this country.
In my remarks, as you I'm sure took copious notes, you noted that I was pleased to announce that we're going to go even further to help meet one of our chief objectives with this group, and that's to strengthen Homeland Security while ensuring the free flow of goods and commerce across our borders and through our seaports and airports by requiring all modes of transportation to provide us advanced information.
The rule will allow our inspectors to collect the advanced manifest and cargo information necessary for us to identify high-risk shipments that may pose a threat.
Commissioner Bonner oversees a national targeting center that is an accumulation of business data, import and export data, about businesses and companies and trade."
