WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, who headed President Bush's efforts to build up domestic security following the Sept. 11 attacks, resigned on Tuesday.
In the latest shake-up of Bush's second-term Cabinet, Ridge, known for his color-coded security alerts and suggesting the use of duct tape in home security kits in case of attack, announced his decision at a news conference after submitting his resignation letter to the president.
"The president has given me an extraordinary opportunity to serve my country in this incredible period since Sept. 11, 2001," said Ridge, the first head of the newly created department.
"I just want to step back and pay a little more attention to some other personal matters."
Ridge told Bush he would stay in his position until February or until his successor is confirmed.
"After more than 22 consecutive years of public service, it is time to give personal and family matters a higher priority," Ridge said in his resignation letter.
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I'm really going to miss old Tom yelling "Yellow", NO, "Orange", while his eyes sort of bugged out, and "get yourself some sheets of plastic for a bioterrorism attack" (so they'll have something to wrap your lifeless body in).
Good Times!
In the latest shake-up of Bush's second-term Cabinet, Ridge, known for his color-coded security alerts and suggesting the use of duct tape in home security kits in case of attack, announced his decision at a news conference after submitting his resignation letter to the president.
"The president has given me an extraordinary opportunity to serve my country in this incredible period since Sept. 11, 2001," said Ridge, the first head of the newly created department.
"I just want to step back and pay a little more attention to some other personal matters."
Ridge told Bush he would stay in his position until February or until his successor is confirmed.
"After more than 22 consecutive years of public service, it is time to give personal and family matters a higher priority," Ridge said in his resignation letter.
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I'm really going to miss old Tom yelling "Yellow", NO, "Orange", while his eyes sort of bugged out, and "get yourself some sheets of plastic for a bioterrorism attack" (so they'll have something to wrap your lifeless body in).
Good Times!
