WASHINGTON — President Bush Monday signed into law legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security, and named Tom Ridge as his nominee to lead, the new department. The law sets into motion the largest reorganization of the federal government in more than half a century. The new department will bring together 170,000 federal employees in attempt to better protect the United States from terrorist attacks and make the American public feel secure.

Bush Monday said the department will reduce America’s vulnerabilities and help the country respond better to any future terrorist attacks. “The continuing threat of terrorism, the threat of mass murder on our own soil, will be met with a unified, effective response,” Bush declared, pointing out that the agencies responsible for border, coastline and transportation security will be under one roof.

(via CNN)