On behalf of General O’Dell and all the staff in the Office of the Federal Coordinator, I want to start by thanking all of those participating in today’s announcement - Deputy Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Gordon Mansfield; Mayor Ray Nagin; LSU President Dr. John V. Lombardi; Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority Paul Rainwater; and of course the Assistant Administrator for FEMA's Gulf Coast Recovery Office Jim Stark. Without each of you, and many dedicated staff and volunteers working diligently behind the scenes, this monumental announcement would not be taking place. Thank you.

Federal Coordinator Douglas O'Dell and the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (OFC) team were recognized today by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff at the Fourth Annual Secretary's Honor Awards. The 16-member OFC team was honored with three awards—two Secretary's Awards for Team DHS Excellence. Additionally, Secretary Chertoff selected Paul T. Conway, OFC's Chief of Staff, to receive one of the Secretary's Silver Medals, the second highest award at the Department of Homeland Security.

The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule will help prevent terrorist weapons from being transported to the United States by requiring both importers and carriers to submit additional cargo information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before the cargo is brought into the United States by vessel.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today new information requirements on maritime cargo destined for the United States. The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule will require maritime cargo carriers and importers to submit additional data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before vessels are permitted entry into the country.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff honored the department's 218,000 employees during its fourth annual awards ceremony on November 20, 2008 to recognize the many accomplishments of its men and women.

General Douglas O’Dell, Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, told experts gathered for a rental housing roundtable discussion that their ideas were key in helping restore, rebuild and build affordable rental housing for the residents of Louisiana on Tuesday, November 18, 2008.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was recently expanded to include seven new allies to the list of countries authorized to participate in the VWP.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced additional measures to strengthen private aircraft security by requiring more detailed information about arriving and departing private aircraft and persons onboard, within a timeframe necessary for the department to assess the risks that certain flights may pose to national security. The Advance Information on Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States final rule expands on existing regulations and is part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen general aviation security.

Secretary Chertoff discussed aviation security measures at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. on November 17, 2008.

Remarks by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and TSA Administrator Kip Hawley at the Aviation Security Blogger Roundtable on Monday, November 17, 2008.