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Fact Sheet

Recovery: Federal changes to make homeland safer

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New York is pondering the future of the World Trade Center site as it clears the rubble.  


SUMMARY:

Several federal agencies plan changes and request financial assistance to fortify homeland security. To cope with the anthrax crisis, the U.S. Postal Service is appealing to Congress for funding to sanitize mail and provide protective equipment for mail handlers.

Other planned changes related to intelligence-gathering and immigration practices are designed to close loopholes in both areas.

UPDATE:

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft announced Thursday a restructuring at the Justice Department intended to eliminate overlapping duties, solidify home-front defenses and detect and thwart planned terrorist attacks. Ashcroft earmarked two agencies for change -- the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the FBI, which was plagued by a series of blunders before the September 11 attacks.

In another move to increase domestic safety, a presidential commission will recommend that three Pentagon intelligence agencies move under the Director of Central Intelligence, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

The agencies that would be transferred are the National Reconnaissance Office, which develops intelligence satellite systems, the National Security Agency, which is in charge of electronic intercepts, and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the newspaper said.


  •  Summary

  •  Update

  •  Key questions

  •  Impact



REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS

  •  Emergency information

  •  Partial list of victims

  •  Victims story archives

  •  Latest news


Attack on America
 CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT
 CNN NewsPass Video 
Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998
 MORE STORIES
Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects
Report cites warnings before 9/11
 EXTRA INFORMATION
Timeline: Who Knew What and When?
Interactive: Terror Investigation
Terror Warnings System
Most wanted terrorists
What looks suspicious?
In-Depth: America Remembers
In-Depth: Terror on Tape
In-Depth: How prepared is your city?
 RESOURCES
On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands?
On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

 VIDEO
Airport security is on the minds of many lawmakers, but Congress is divided on how best to proceed. CNN's Kate Snow reports (November 1)

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  MORE STORIES

 

President Bush's top political strategist plans to meet with an array of entertainment executives Sunday to discuss the war on terrorism and ways that Hollywood stars and films might work in concert, in ways both formal and informal, with the administration's communications strategy. (Full story)

Postmaster General John Potter is appearing on Capitol Hill Thursday to ask for money to help the agency recover from expenses related to the anthrax crisis that ballooned postal expenditures. (Full story)

KEY QUESTIONS:

What will be the long-range impact on the global airline industry? Click here for more

Are security breaches common at U.S. airports? Click here for more

What is the government doing to improve airport safety? Click here for more

How is Congress helping out in the recovery process? Click here for more

Are children able to grasp the severity of the September 11 attacks? How are they coping?

Will firefighters take greater precautions in rushing into burning buildings in the aftermath of the attacks?

How long will it take to reopen the damaged section of the Pentagon? At what cost? Click here for more

What will happen to the World Trade Center site? Click here for more

What measures will be taken to try to prevent a recurrence of such attacks? Click here for more

What are tips to know in the wake of the attacks? Click here for more

WHO'S WHO:

George W. Bush: U.S. president Click here for more.

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, a new Cabinet-level position Click here for more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national security adviser Click here for more

Joe Allbaugh:The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Click here for more

Dr. David Satcher: Surgeon General of the United States

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Click here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Mayor of New York Click here for more

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor-elect of New York

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the following totals for the number of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks.

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, 3,962 are missing, including the 157 people on the two hijacked planes; 490 bodies have been identified.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 dead or missing

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The events of September 11 exposed the vulnerability of the world's greatest superpower, presenting the United States with the challenge of recovering emotionally and physically.

The U.S. economy, threatened by recession before September 11, has suffered a number of blows in the weeks since. Several industries -- particularly the airline industry -- were hit hard by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, and leading economic indicators dropped in September. Yet the nation's financial markets have thus far weathered the uncertainty, making up losses experienced in the days after reopening.

Incidents of anthrax found in mail have frightened many, and the notable increase of security at offices and public places indicates America to be a warier, more cautious place. But daily life has not been put on hold: People are still attending entertainment events, going to ballgames, and getting out. Psychologically, the country appears to be finding its way.



 
 
 
 



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