Governor George Pataki recently joined the newly-appointed Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and a team of New York State officials during a town hall meeting on security issues at Hofstra University. The hour-long meeting featured questions from students and Long Island citizens ranging from security of local bridges to how to best protect the area's children.

The meeting began with Governor Pataki's welcome address followed by Governor Ridge's opening statement. The first question from the audience addressed the World Trade Center attack, anthrax terror and what officials say is an unrelated aviation disaster on Long Island.

Governor Pataki asked a question on everyone's minds during such uncertain times: "How vulnerable are we and is the danger passing?" He discussed the presence of National Guard troops at local airports; tightened security at strategically located facilities; and the coordination of all levels of government. Governor Ridge further explained this coordination.

Hofstra University Professor Leslie Feldman then asked whether or not officials plan to investigate rumors surrounding bribery by Immigration and Naturalization agents. A Hofstra University history major asked Governor Pataki how charity donations are being dispersed and whether or not the White House is going to work more with the Democrats toward federalizing airport security.

"It was an opportunity for us to hear directly from and ask questions of those responsible for safeguarding our state and our nation," Senator Kemp Hannon, who urged local government and civic leaders to attend the event, said. "While we face new challenges because of the events since Sept. 11, New Yorkers have already shown their strength and spirit and our great state will meet these challenges and overcome them."

During the meeting, Governor Pataki introduced members of the Office of Public Security, including James Kallstrom, director; State Health Commissioner Antonia Novello; Director of Criminal Justice Services Katherine Lapp; State Police Superintendent James McMahon; Major General Thomas Maguire, Jr., adjutant general of the New York Division of Military and Public Affairs; and State Emergency Management Office Director Edward Jacoby, Jr.

Governor Ridge addressed the role of state and local government in the fight against terrorism. "A national effort is one in which the federal, state and local governments work together," he said. He and Governor Pataki spoke at length on a number of other topics such as aviation security, the role of charities, cyber security, immigration, hate crimes and communication and cooperation between government agencies.

Commissioner Novello briefed attendees about the threat of anthrax and asked those in attendance to remember three simple things, "Unlike the flu, with anthrax you don't have a runny nose; antibiotics do cure anthrax; and it's not contagious," she said.

Governor Pataki recognized a number of school children from the Barnum Woods Elementary School in East Meadow, one of several local schools that Senator Hannon suggested the governor recognize during the meeting. Recognizing their individual efforts in raising money for the victims of the attack, Governor Pataki said, "Our school children sold T-shirts, stood on corners and collected money and made American flag pins." After the meeting, Governor Pataki met with these children and signed their T-shirts.

Paying tribute to two local women who lost both their husbands Sept. 11, Governor Pataki pledged that "we will protect your children, we will protect all the children of this great state."