At the inaugural meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, chaired by Secretary Ridge, he swore in the other members, and then spoke about the Department of Homeland Security and its progress in consolidating other agencies into the new department. He mentioned cooperation with state and local agencies, national performance standards, and the department budget. 

The 18-member council was established by Executive Order in 2002 to advise the president on the progress of strategies to combat terrorism.