STATEMENT BY
U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY DON EVANS
ON PASSAGE OF HOMELAND SECURITY LEGISLATION

"President Bush's homeland security legislation passed by Congress today will have a positive impact not only on the security of our homeland, but also on our economic security.

"By integrating the Commerce Department's Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office (CIAO) into the new Department of Homeland Security, the protection of our cyber infrastructure will be strengthened and better coordinated between federal agencies and private industry.

"Today's passage of homeland security legislation is an important step not just for the safety of our citizens, but for the well-being of America's businesses and workers, and for the well-being of our free-enterprise system.

"I look forward to working with the new Secretary of Homeland Security to make this transition successful."