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Press Releases

Minor League Baseball and the Boy Scouts of America Help the Department of Homeland Security Prepare Americans

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
For Immediate Release
July 11, 2003

Baseball and Boy Scouts - two of America's institutions - are joining the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in an unprecedented campaign to help Americans prepare for potential terrorist attacks.  Various Minor League Baseball teams across the nation will feature the "Ready" television or radio public service announcements during games and will host the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), which will distribute the "Ready" brochure.

The initiative will kick-off on Friday, July 11 at Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians, and at Centennial Field, home of the Vermont Expos.

"Minor League Baseball and the Boy Scouts of America are terrific new partners in helping us prepare our citizens as a key component of securing our nation," said DHS Secretary Tom Ridge. "The Ready campaign reminds Americans there are simple steps they can take to be prepared: Make a plan, make a kit, and get informed. Our new partners are a tremendous asset in helping distribute this information outside Washington and to as many people as possible."

The Ready campaign is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower American citizens to prepare for and respond to potential terrorist attacks. Citizens interested in receiving a "Get Ready Now" brochure may call 1-800-BE-READY or visit www.ready.gov for more information.  To date, nearly 16 million visitors have logged on to Ready.gov and more than 130,000 people have requested the brochure.

The partnership between DHS and the Boy Scouts of America also includes the new Emergency Preparedness BSA Award, which recognizes Scouts for completing age-appropriate preparedness tasks, such as taking the American Red Cross First Aid for Children Today course, compiling a family emergency kit, developing a pack or troop preparedness plan, and completing scout merit badges, such as First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. DHS and the Boy Scouts of America are working to prepare Scouts, Scout families, Scout troops and their communities throughout the nation.

To date, 17 Minor League Baseball teams are committed to featuring Ready campaign materials and to hosting the Boy Scouts as they distribute brochures. Those teams include:

  • Indianapolis Indians (July 11)
  • Vermont Expos (July 11)
  • Erie SeaWolves (July 18)
  • Iowa Cubs (July 20)
  • San Antonio Missions (July 26 and August 2)
  • Bristol White Sox, Virginia (August 15)
  • Las Vegas 51's (August 16)
  • Clearwater Phillies, Florida (August 23)
  • Sarasota Red Sox (August 29)
  • Frederick Keys (date pending)
  • Rochester Red Wings (TBA)
  • Columbus Clippers (TBA)
  • Trenton Thunder (TBA)
  • Kinston Indians, North Carolina (TBA)
  • Visalia Oaks (TBA)
  • Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, California (TBA)
  • Oklahoma Red Hawks (TBA)

For more information about the partnership, call Jim Ferguson at Minor League Baseball, (727) 822-6937; Keith Stephens at the Boy Scouts of America, (214) 224-8411; or Lara Shane at the Department of Homeland Security, (202) 646-4600.

Please note: Regional news releases will be distributed as partnership games are scheduled and as new teams join the partnership.


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