Press Release

HARRISBURG, PA –- As his first official act as Pennsylvania’s 44th governor, Gov. Mark Schweiker today signed an Executive Order establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Security.

Gov. Schweiker took the Oath of Office yesterday and, in his inaugural address, announced that the safety and security of Pennsylvanians is his highest priority.

"President Bush has called on us to be vigilant to the threat of terrorism, and to defend ourselves from it. Today, that is what we do -– by establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Security," Gov. Schweiker said.

"This is my highest priority for Pennsylvania -– the safety and security of her citizens. Over the past seven years we have worked hard to make our streets and schools and communities safer. But fighting crime alone will no longer guarantee our security. Not after September 11^th."

Noting that Pennsylvania already is regarded as a national leader in anti-terrorism planning and preparation, Gov. Schweiker said the task force will look beyond the Commonwealth’s current state of readiness, focusing on a comprehensive anti-terrorism strategy to protect Pennsylvania against future attacks.

"The Task Force will assess our current state of emergency preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack, whether chemical, biological, cyber or by conventional means," Gov. Schweiker said. "It will focus on protecting our critical infrastructure, such as transportation lines, electrical generation facilities and water supply systems. It will review our statewide and local emergency preparedness plans. It will look at the way we monitor and control our borders, by land, air and water. And it will determine whether our communications infrastructure, both internal and public, is as effective as it needs to be."

Gov. Schweiker appointed 13 members to his Task Force on Security, including:

• David Smith, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency;
• Col. Paul J. Evanko, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police;
• David E. Hess, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection;
• Robert S. Zimmerman Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health;
• Maj. Gen. William B. Lynch, Secretary of the Military and Veterans Affairs;
• Glen Thomas, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Utility Commission;
• Mike Fisher, Attorney General;
• Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Susquehanna);
• Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin);
• Rich Matason, Director, Westmoreland County Public Safety;
• Lt. Fred Endrikat, Task Force Leader, Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue 1; and
• Two representatives of local government, to be named early next week.