EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 916

Homeland Security Council Restructuring

WHEREAS, after the terrorist attacks against our nation on September 11, 2001, homeland security in the State of Mississippi was managed and controlled by the Mississippi National Guard; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi through Executive Order No. 872, dated January 3, 2003, established the Homeland Security Council (the "Council"), which is responsible for advising and assisting the Governor with respect to all aspects of homeland security; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment, the Council has been under the authorization, control and management of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency ("MEMA"), as an expansion of the Terrorism Policy Group; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi recognizes the need to ensure that the focus of the Council is first and foremost on the prevention of terrorist attacks against our homeland; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety is best equipped to control and manage the Council in a way that will help prevent terrorist attacks, and should coordinate with MEMA which will remain responsible for the important response functions should an attack occur.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Haley Barbour, Governor of the State of Mississippi, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Mississippi, hereby take the following action:

Section 1. The full control and management of the Homeland Security Council is hereby vested in the Department of Public Safety, thereby removing any control and management of the Council from MEMA.
MEMA shall continue to remain responsible for the important function of responding to a terrorist attack.

Section 2. All other provisions of Executive Order No. 872, dated January 3, 2003, which are not inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this Order are hereby confirmed and ratified.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.

DONE at the Governor's Office, in the City of Jackson, this the 28th day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand and four, and of the two hundred and twenty-eighth year of the United States of America.

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