- AP

WASHINGTON - Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, whose name became synonymous with color-coded terror alerts and tutorials about how to prepare for possible attack, resigned Tuesday, saying he was confident the United States is significantly safer than before the 2001 terrorist strikes.

Ridge, who has warned that the country may face increased terror risks around the holidays and the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration, said he will remain on the job through Feb. 1. He submitted his resignation to President Bush on Tuesday morning after attending a daily threat briefing with CIA and FBI officials.

As the nation’s first chief of the new Department of Homeland Security, Ridge presided over a collection of 22 disparate federal agencies and 180,000 employees. He acknowledged he could not prove the enormously expensive and complex security measures put in place since 2001 have foiled any terrorist attacks inside the United States but said he was certain America was safer.

“I am confident that the terrorists are aware that from the curb to the cockpit we’ve got additional security measures that didn’t exist a couple years ago, that from port to port we do things differently with maritime security,” Ridge said. “I am confident they know the borders are more secure. I am confident they know we have developed and are sharing information with state and local law enforcement.”

A job well done in my opinion. Ridge has helped this nation come back after a devastating attack on our homeland and has helped to prevent another terrorist attack on our soil. Ridge will be missed, and the legacy he has created will help form the position for years to come.

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