Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Lt. Governor Judge Named to National Homeland Security Committee
(Des Moines) – Lt. Governor Patty Judge today announced that she had been named to the State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Government Coordinating Council (SLTTGCC) for the US Department of Homeland Security. The Lt. Governor was asked to serve on the committee in her role as Homeland Security Advisor for Iowa, a role she was recently named to by Governor Chet Culver.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on this important committee,” said Lt. Governor Judge. “When national leaders think of protecting our homeland, often times they think of our nation’s larger population centers. However, America’s rural assets are just as vital to this nation’s security as our large cities. In this role, I will advocate for greater recognition of our nation’s rural communities and work towards better communication between all levels of government.”
As stated in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, the SLTTGCC “serves as a forum to ensure that State, local, tribal and territorial Homeland Security Advisors are fully integrated as active participants in national protection efforts and to provide an organizational structure to coordinate resources across their jurisdictions.”
The Lt. Governor’s appointment to the SLTTGCC is for 1 year, and she is the only state Lt. Governor to serve on the commission. She was invited to the committee by SLTTGCC Chair Col. Michael C. McDaniel, Michigan’s Homeland Security Advisor.
This is the second national homeland security committee Lt. Governor Judge has served on. As Secretary of Agriculture, the Lt. Governor played an active role on the United States Home Land Security’s Agricultural Sector Government Coordinating Council, which was responsible for protection of America’s agricultural assets and protecting food supplies.