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Ridge, Tom

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Ridge, Tom (1945- )

US Republican politician, secretary of homeland security 2001-04. He was a representative in Congress 1982-95 and governor of Pennsylvania 1995-2001, before becoming the first secretary at the newly created Office of Homeland Security, established in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City. The department's task is to review intelligence data, coordinate domestic defence measures, and bring together 100 government organizations.

As governor of Pennsylvania, he pushed through environmental, educational, and child health insurance initiatives, but took a firm line on law and order, signing over 200 death penalty warrants - five times the number signed during the previous 25 years.

Born in Pittsburgh, Ohio, Ridge was raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, and gained a scholarship to Harvard University. During the Vietnam War he was drafted into the US Army and received a bronze star for valour as an infantry sergeant. He returned to Pennsylvania to qualify and practise in law before being elected to the House of Representatives in 1982.



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