FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRM (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey announced today that the Presidents Board on Safeguarding Americans Civil Liberties, established by executive order on Aug. 27, 2004, held its first meeting today at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.
According to the order, The United States Government has a solemn obligation, and shall continue fully, to protect the legal rights of all Americans, including freedoms, civil liberties, and information privacy guaranteed by federal law, in the effective performance of national security and homeland security functions. The board is designed to ensure that such liberties continue to be preserved. Deputy Attorney General James Comey serves as chairman of the board. Undersecretary Secretary Asa Hutchinson of the Department of Homeland Security serves as Vice-Chairman.
Under President Bushs order, the 20-member boards mission will be to advise the President on the most effective ways to implement new policies aimed at protecting Americans civil liberties. The board, which is made up of representatives from several governmental agencies, has been authorized to recommend new technologies, legislation, and other administrative actions as deemed appropriate.
The board has also been charged with referring credible information pertaining to possible violations of law regarding to the orders policy by any federal employee or official to the appropriate office for prompt investigation. The board will also take steps to enhance cooperation and coordination among federal departments and agencies, including but not limited to working with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and other officers of the United States to review and assist in the coordination of guidelines and policies concerning national security and homeland security efforts, such as information collection and sharing, and undertake other efforts to protect the legal rights of all Americans, including freedoms, civil liberties, and privacy guaranteed by federal law.
In addition to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the boardmembership will be as follows: Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General (Civil Rights Division) Assistant Attorney General (Office of Legal Policy) Counsel for Intelligence Policy Chair of the Privacy Council (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis Assistant Secretary (Policy) Directorate of Border and Transportation Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Privacy Officer Department of the Treasury Undersecretary for Enforcement Assistant Secretary (Terrorist Financing) General Counsel -- Office of Management and Budget CIA Deputy Director of Central Intelligence for Community Management General Counsel Director, Terrorist Threat Integration Center NSA General Counsel Department of Defense Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence General Counsel State Department Legal Adviser *Under the Presidents directive, the Deputy Attorney General may designate others to serve on the board from time to time as needed. 04-614
Source: US Department of Justice
