On the Record

"Science and technology will be used to make every aspect of homeland security a little bit better. We will find, develop and deploy . . . cutting-edge technologies in the field. . . . We want [industry] to recognize the economic and educational opportunity that homeland security presents."
-Homeland Security Undersecretary for Science and Technology Charles McQueary, speaking at an annual meeting of business executives in North Carolina in June.
"One of the mantras . . . within the department is that the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. We've got an 80 or 90 percent solution; I say let's apply it now, and work with smart people to get the other 20 or 10 percent. So we have a perfect solution. Our science and technology unit is geared to do just that."
-Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, speaking to software company executives in Washington in October.

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