Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Remarks-on Partnerships with Faith-Based and Community Groups

Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Remarks to the Homeland Security Advisory Council on Partnerships with Faith-Based and Community Groups


Release Date: February 3, 2010

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today met with members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC)—comprised of leaders from state and local governments, first responder communities, the private sector and academia—in New York City, and delivered remarks emphasizing her commitment to strengthening comprehensive partnerships with faith-based and community groups.

“We face an enemy whose desire to attack us here at home has not diminished and who continues to seek every avenue to circumvent the security measures we’ve put in place since 9/11,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Today I am asking HSAC to provide recommendations on steps the Department can take to better support community-based efforts to address or counter violent extremism—with a focus on training, information sharing and community-oriented law enforcement. Faith-based and community groups play a major role in all aspects of American life, including our efforts to work together at all levels to combat these terrorist threats.”

During the meeting, Secretary Napolitano tasked HSAC to examine and make recommendations to enhance current DHS coordination and information-sharing with faith-based communities—building on the Secretary’s meeting last week with leaders from the Muslim, Sikh, South Asian and Arab communities.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov/hsac.

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1265233553090.shtm

various communities ("leaders from the Muslim, Sikh, South Asian and Arab communities" etc) in the name of security and overall peace is a violation of church and state? Did I miss some part of the article that lays out official religious positions of the government?