Homeland Security Secretary to Speak at Ports Association Gathering

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, only the second to serve in this cabinet level post since the DHS was formed after 9/11, will address the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) annual Washington People’s Luncheon event on Tuesday, March 20, at the Willard Inter-Continental Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. The topic: securing America’s seaports.

Before being sworn in as DHS’s new chief, Sec. Chertoff served as a U.S. circuit judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and as Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice. In that post, he helped trace the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the al-Qaida network, and worked to increase information sharing within the FBI and with state and local officials. Prior to joining the Bush Administration, Sec. Chertoff was a partner in the law firm of Latham & Watkins, where, from 1994 to 1996, he served as Special Counsel for the U.S. Senate Whitewater Committee. Earlier in his career, Sec. Chertoff spent more than a decade as a federal prosecutor, including service as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. As United States Attorney, he investigated and prosecuted several significant cases of political corruption, organized crime and corporate fraud. The Washington People’s Luncheon at which Sec. Chertoff will speak is the capstone event for AAPA’s annual Spring Conference. AAPA anticipates more than 300 legislators, governmental staff mem¬bers and port industry leaders will take part in the annual port industry forum, which runs March 19-20.