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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/27/2003
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9/11 COMMISSION CONVENES, NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 27, 2003 -- The National Commission on
Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States today announced the
selection of Dr. Philip Zelikow as its executive director.
The independent commission, created by congressional legislation
and the signature of President George W. Bush in late 2002, is
chartered to prepare a full and complete account of the
circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
on the United States, including preparedness for and the immediate
response to the attacks. The Commission is also mandated to provide
recommendations designed to guard against future attacks.
The 10-person commission comprising five Republican and five
Democratic appointees is chaired by Thomas H. Kean, former New
Jersey governor, and Lee H. Hamilton, former Indiana congressman,
who serves as vice-chair. Other Republican members of the Commission
are former U.S. Navy Secretary John Lehman, attorney Fred Fielding,
former Washington Senator Slade Gorton and former Illinois Governor
James Thompson. Additional Democratic Commission members are former
Georgia Senator Max Cleland, former Indiana Congressman Tim Roemer,
attorney Richard Ben Veniste and Jamie Gorelick, vice-chair of
Fannie Mae.
“The entire commission met this morning for the first time in
executive session to address key issues, including the designation
of an executive director,” said Governor Kean. “Today’s meeting
resulted in significant progress regarding staffing, processes,
scheduling and logistics for the Commission. I am confident this
bipartisan team will distinguish itself by fulfilling its historic
mission to provide the American public with valuable insight into
the circumstances leading up to the tragic events of September 11,
2001, and, just as importantly, provide recommendations regarding
how we can better protect the American people.”
Following the executive session meeting, Commissioners were able
to meet informally with representatives from the families of the
victims of September 11th. Congressman Hamilton noted, “This
independent Commission will dedicate itself to a fair and thorough
investigation that will seek to learn the crucial lessons of
September 11, 2001. Members of the Commission understand that they
are working on behalf of the safety and security of the American
people and the thousands of families who lost loved ones on
September 11, 2001, and that this is the most important factual
inquiry they will participate in during their lifetimes.”
Executive director Zelikow is currently director of the Miller
Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, and served
as executive director of the bipartisan National Commission on
Federal Electoral Reform, co-chaired by former Presidents Jimmy
Carter and Gerald R. Ford. “Phil Zelikow is a man of high stature
who has distinguished himself as an academician, lawyer, author and
public servant,” said Governor Kean. Congressman Hamilton added,
“Dr. Zelikow will be an extremely capable staff director. He brings
a great breadth of skills and experience to the task.”
The Commission announced plans to hold a second executive session
on Wednesday, February 12th, which will be accompanied by a press
availability.
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