October 14, 2001

We acknowledge that the events of September 11th changed much about our world.

Things changed in ways we have not yet defined.

Since then, I have received regular public safety briefings.

For the past two days I have been in Washington DC. I met with the Attorney General of the United States, the Director of the FBI and the best sources of military intelligence available to me for the purpose of assessing the current security of our state.

My desire to speak with you tonight is not motivated by imminent threat.

The combination of world events, pending military attacks and the impact that they have on us now and as we approach the Olympics, compel me to talk to you tonight.

The lesson of September 11th is "Watch and Prepare."

The hope is that being prepared, we will all have sufficient comfort to normalize our lives and return to activities that keep us prosperous and comfortable September 11th made clear that America's most potent enemy is not a nation-state, but a shadowy network of well-financed zealots who hate everything good we stand for.

Our president has said that America will lead the civilized world into a war against terrorism.

That war will be prolonged, will include casualties and, likely, will motivate retaliation.

Terrorists are a different kind of enemy than we have faced before.

Consequently, national defense can no longer be viewed simply as the military protecting our borders with soldiers, missiles and jets.

The President has made clear that the words "Homeland Security" and "National Defense" must now be uttered as companion phrases.

This is a change of historic proportion.

It will place, by necessity, new law enforcement imperatives on state and local governments.

The President has created a new cabinet level position to oversee our nation's transition into this new era of common defense.

The profound change in our national circumstance is that terrorism is an act that happens inside our homeland.

Our homeland is so vast and rich in opportunities for the sinister mind that the United States military cannot cover every target.

If we are to protect our nation's security in this era, we must cooperate to deploy not just the assets of our national government, but also the eyes, ears and authority of local and state law enforcement.

Accordingly, I have taken the following actions:

I have expanded the mission and changed the name of the Division of Comprehensive Emergency Management . In the past, this division has coordinated the state's response to emergency situations . I am now asking them to proactively serve our broader security interests.
I have asked local law enforcement to inventory, assess and enhance protection of our vital infrastructure, including Freeways, Bridges, Railroads, Major Public Utilities, Water storage and delivery Chemical plants, and Schools.
I have directed law enforcement to secure general aviation in airports twenty-four hours a day. As an example, we have already inventoried all pilots and aircraft used for crop dusting.
We will enhance the coordination and scope of local, state and federal intelligence gathering.
I will direct the state chief information officer to enhance the state's computer security efforts; specifically, intrusion detection.
Is this an over reaction? Let's hope so.

There may be a time when we can de-emphasize this expanded vigilance.

But given the fact that the war on terrorism will soon move from planning to action and could produce a retaliatory reaction, good judgment dictates that we respond. This is simply a new reality we have to deal with.

While the fact that we're taking these actions brings with it an inherent discomfort, let us focus on the task at hand and move forward with our lives.

One could properly argue that the chance of Utah citizens being victimized directly by terrorism is very low.

When we need to go to the mall, we don't allow ourselves to be frozen by the possibility of a car accident.

We buckle our seat belts and go about our business.

The same must be true of homeland security.

We buckle our seat belts and go about our business.

We are a nation conceived in liberty.

Terrorism aims to control the human mind.

If we do not move forward, evil will have overcome good, and we cannot allow that to happen.

An hour ago, I participated in an event on the Capitol steps.

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee revealed the names of the 7,200 torchbearers selected to carry the Olympic flame on its 65 day, 13,000- mile journey, passing through forty-six states.

Tonight I met torchbearers from New York and Washington DC who will join 100 heroes from the terrorist attacks to carry the flame.

The olympics will transcend global politics as 3.6 Billion people worldwide celebrate the values of peace, courage, and the human spirit.

The events of September 11th make the 2002 Winter Olympic games a global milestone of healing and a worldwide marker of triumph for good.

We suffer no illusions; good has always been the target of evil.

The unified efforts of local, state and national authority and resources will be concentrated to assure the safety of the games.

The national government has pledged their full resources to assure success.

There was a collective awareness in Washington that the Olympic games are not a Utah celebration or even a national showcase.

It is an international commitment that this will remain a civilized world.

Olympic security has always been a top priority.

We have a plan developed by the best security authorities in the world.

It was an excellent plan prior to September 11th.

It will be even better now.

While the details of a security plan are not appropriately discussed in public, let me provide some observations: Terrorists depend on surprise and complacency.

The Olympic games are a specific event, at a time certain, in a prearranged place.

Because we can concentrate our security assets, the capacity to assure security is very high.

Let me tell you about some changes I've requested.

First, I have requested that air corridors around the Wasatch Front be highly restricted during the games, so that no-fly zones can be enlarged from tens of miles to hundreds of miles during opening and closing ceremonies.

I have requested that military assets be in place to assure enforceability if necessary.

Second, I am prepared to activate an additional 2,000 Utah National Guard troops to assist with the security during the games.

All of our security measures will be managed in a way that provides assurance and comfort to those who participate, either as athletes or spectators.

Yesterday afternoon while I was in Washington, D.C., circumstances provided a few quiet minutes in the Oval Office with President Bush.

Our time was spent mostly reflecting on the events of the past month.

He was just returning from visiting victims in New York, and I could tell they were still on his mind.

We discussed the Olympics and our preparation.

He reconfirmed the commitments made earlier in the day by the U.S. Attorney General, the Congress and the military.

He was calm, confident and strong.

Late this afternoon, I received a letter from the president.

It was delivered to me, but it was meant for you.

"I enjoyed our visit yesterday and ask you to please tell the people of Utah that as the Olympic flame makes its way to Utah, I stand with them and so does America."

Let us go forward with our heads held high.

Let us also be calm, confident and strong.

Let us meet this new challenge of homeland security with resolve to sustain our renewed patriotism, and to regain our economic stride.

If we do, I feel a deep faith that God will bless America.

Thank you and good night