Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Visit to New York City

Press Release

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today traveled to New York City where she began a two-day visit. Secretary Napolitano visited the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and One World Trade Center, and met with members of the New York City Police Department and New York City Fire Department to thank them for their service and their ongoing partnership with the Department in support of our shared goal of mitigating threats and increasing response capabilities.

"Since the Department of Homeland Security was established ten years ago, we have made significant progress supporting our state and local partners, increasing information sharing, providing law enforcement officials with additional resources, and working together to identify and address evolving threats to public safety," said Secretary Napolitano. "Today, our nation and the men and women on the frontlines are more flexible, agile, and adaptable to challenges both at home and abroad, and I would like to thank the first responders in New York for the central role they have played in these efforts during my tenure as Secretary."

Secretary Napolitano joined U.S. Congressman Peter King to visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and One World Trade Center. This was Secretary Napolitano's seventh visit to Ground Zero since taking office in 2009.

Secretary Napolitano also met with members of the New York City Police Department, and members of the New York City Fire Department. She expressed her gratitude for the strong support of the law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders who are essential partners in ensuring a safe, secure and resilient homeland. During her tenure, Secretary Napolitano has made it a priority to provide states, cities, and communities with the tools, training, and resources they need, as well as supporting stronger information sharing through state and major urban area fusion centers.

Secretary Napolitano also recognized the heroic response of New York's first responders before, during and after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in October 2012. The collective response to Sandy reflects an emergency management system that is swift, flexible, adaptable, and united.

Tomorrow, Secretary Napolitano will join U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng to visit Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees at the FEMA Joint Field Office, and will also meet with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Later that morning, Secretary Napolitano will administer the Oath of Allegiance and deliver remarks at a naturalization ceremony for approximately 150 citizenship candidates.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

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