Homeland Security chief lists FEMA overhaul among achievements

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff Thursday cited a reversal in the flow of illegal immigration into the United States, an overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the prevention of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001, as his department's major achievements since its inception in 2003.

"If there's any lesson I've learned in the last eight years, it's [that] swift, strong and unequivocal and unhesitating action is the absolute first requirement of reassuring the public and giving them the confidence to continue to live their daily lives," Chertoff said at a Georgetown University event in what was likely his last major public address before handing off the department to President-elect Obama's administration next month. "There's nothing more important than that."

On border security, Chertoff said increased law enforcement reduced apprehensions of illegal immigrants along the border - mainly with Mexico -- by 40 percent since 2005, the year he took over the department from its first secretary, Tom Ridge.

Regarding disaster preparedness and response, Chertoff said FEMA has been significantly improved since government failures were exposed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the summer of 2005.

"The fact is -- whether faced with fires, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes -- we think we've demonstrated to the American people that FEMA has been very substantially and successfully retooled and the nation's emergency management system has been vastly improved," he said.

"And by the way, I believe that's a direct result of the fact that it's not been FEMA operating by itself, but FEMA integrated into the department," Chertoff added, in a rebuttal to critics who say FEMA should be recast as an independent agency.

And he said the fact that no terrorist attacks have occurred in the United States since 9/11 is "stunning," given that attacks have been carried out around the world since then.

Chertoff said he has not seen any problems with the transition to a new administration.

"There's a lot of work ahead of us in the next few weeks to complete what I think will be regarded as the most dedicated and effective transition that we've had in the country's history," he said. "[It's] one in which both the incoming team and the outgoing team have worked together very closely to make sure that we put any partisanship aside and make sure that we are all as prepared as we possibly can be to protect this country, not only between now and Inauguration Day but for the months and years to follow."

He added that he has "perfect confidence in the dedication" of Obama's pick to lead the department, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. Chertoff cautioned the public to not take security for granted.

"I don't think we need to live in a draconian society or a police state in order to protect ourselves. But I do think we need to continue the job to carry on what we have put into place," he said.