“In one of his first actions as Secretary of Homeland Security…Michael Chertoff, on March 2, 2005, the day before he was sworn in as Secretary, announced in testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security that he was “initiating a comprehensive review of the Department’s organization, operations, and policies”. This effort, he said, would begin “within days”. The results of that undertaking, which came to be known as the Second Stage Review or 2SR, were made public in mid-July”. (CRS, Department of Homeland Security Reorganization: The 2SR Initiative, August 19, 2005, p. i). “…in July 2005, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff announced plans for a reorganization of DHS, including FEMA. Known as the “Second Stage Review,” or “2SR,” the reorganization transferred emergency preparedness functions from FEMA to a new Preparedness Directorate, among other changes. The Administration began implementation of the reorganization on October 1, 2005. In response to Administration requests, congressional support for the proposal was provided through approval of the FY2006 appropriations legislation”. (CRS, Federal Emergency Management and Homeland Security Organization: Historical Developments and Legislative Options, June 1, 2006). “…to ensure that our preparedness efforts do have a focused direction, we intend to consolidate all the Department’s existing preparedness efforts -- including planning, training, exercising and funding -- into a single directorate led by an under secretary for preparedness. Going forward, FEMA will be a direct report to the Secretary, and it will focus on its historic and vital mission of response and recovery -- a mission that it performs superbly. The importance of this latter capacity was illustrated powerfully as Hurricane Dennis made landfall this past week”. (DHS, Secretary Michael Chertoff [DHS] Second Stage Review Remarks, July 13, 2005). “The Secretary’s six-point agenda will guide DHS in the near term and result in changes that will: (1) Increase overall preparedness, particularly for catastrophic events; (2) Create better transportation security systems to move people and cargo more securely and efficiently; (3) Strengthen border security and interior enforcement and reform immigration processes; (4) Enhance information sharing with our partners; (5) Improve DHS financial management, human resource development, procurement and information technology; and (6) Realign the DHS organization to maximize mission performance…. (7) Improve National Response and Recovery Efforts by Focusing FEMA on Its Core Functions. FEMA will report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. In order to strengthen and enhance our Nation’s ability to respond to and recover from manmade or natural disasters, FEMA will now focus on its historic and vital mission of response and recovery”. (DHS, “Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff Announces Six-Point Agenda for [DHS],” July 13, 2005)