First Secretary of US Department of Homeland Security

and 2-term Governor of Pennsylvania

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 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. He served as secretary of this historic and critical endeavor until February 1, 2005.  

On October 8, 2001, prior to being secretary of Homeland Security, he served as the first assistant to the president for Homeland Security. Following the tragic events of September 11, President Bush asked then-Governor Ridge to come to Washington to develop and coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to strengthen protections against terrorist threats and attacks in the United States. His first duties included starting up the Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council.

In recognizing Secretary Ridge for his service as the nation’s first Homeland Security advisor and first secretary of Homeland Security, President Bush said of Secretary 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 longtime 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.”

Before the events of September 11, Secretary Ridge was twice elected governor of Pennsylvania. He 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." His aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state's advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment. 

Secretary Ridge cut taxes every year he was in office. He created industry-led greenhouse initiatives in advanced computing technologies and the life sciences and signed into law the Education Empowerment Act, to help more than a quarter-million children in Pennsylvania's lowest-performing schools. His education technology initiatives brought anytime, anywhere learning to Pennsylvanians from preschool to adult education.

During his years in the governor's office, the number of children receiving free or low-cost health care through Pennsylvania's nationally recognized Children's Health Insurance Program rose by 145 percent. Additionally, his Land Recycling Program became a national model. He won passage of "Growing Greener," to make Pennsylvania's largest environmental investment ever, nearly $650 million.

Born August 26, 1945, in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, Secretary 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. He 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 reelected by Pennsylvania voters five times. Throughout his political career, he has never lost an election.

After more than 25 years in public service, Secretary Ridge regularly addresses audiences throughout the world on issues, such as security, terrorism, global engagement, leadership, technology and more.. He also is serving on public and private boards and is currently the chairman of the National Organization on Disability; his nonprofit work also includes service with the Council for Competitiveness and the Center for Excellence in Government. He continues to contribute to matters concerning our nation’s veterans and, along with Gen. Tommy Franks, serves as national cochairman of the Flight 93 Memorial. Secretary Ridge's recently released his memoir, The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege...And How We Can Be Safe Again.

Throughout his public and private sector career, he has received numerous awards, including the American Bar Association’s John Marshall Award, the National Guard’s Harry S. Truman Award, the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year Award, U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce’s Good Neighbor Award, the American Cancer Society’s prestigious National Medal of Honor, the Champion of Public Television Award, the Intrepid Freedom Award, the Esperanza Leadership Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, the John F. Kennedy National Award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He also has been awarded honorary degrees and awards from Carnegie-Mellon University, Bucknell University, Lafayette College, Elizabethtown College, The University of Utah and other academic institutions.