Tom Ridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Ridge
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2001
|
|
| 1st United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
| In office January 24, 2003 – February 1, 2005 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Deputy | Gordon R. England James Loy |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | James Loy (acting) |
| 1st United States Homeland Security Advisor | |
| In office October 8, 2001 – January 24, 2003 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | John A. Gordon |
| 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania | |
| In office January 17, 1995 – October 5, 2001 |
|
| Lieutenant | Mark Schweiker |
| Preceded by | Bob Casey Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Mark Schweiker |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 21st district |
|
| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995 |
|
| Preceded by | Donald Bailey |
| Succeeded by | Phil English |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Joseph Ridge
August 26, 1945 Munhall, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Michele Ridge
(m. 1979) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Dickinson School of Law (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Staff sergeant |
| Unit | Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
|
Thomas Joseph Ridge (born August 26, 1945) is an American politician and author. He served in the George W. Bush administration as the first Secretary of Homeland Security. This important role involved protecting the United States from terrorist threats.
Before that, he was the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. A member of the Republican Party, he also served in the United States House of Representatives and as the 43rd governor of Pennsylvania.
Ridge was born in Munhall, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. He went to Harvard University and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He earned the Bronze Star Medal for his service. After the war, he became a lawyer.
As governor, he helped improve Pennsylvania's economy, education, health care, and environment. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush chose Ridge to lead the new Office of Homeland Security. This office later became a full government department.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tom Ridge was born in Munhall, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. He was the oldest of three children. His father was a traveling salesman and a Navy veteran. Ridge grew up in public housing for veterans in Erie, Pennsylvania.
He went to St. Andrews Elementary School and Cathedral Preparatory School. He was good at both school and sports. He then attended Harvard College, where he worked in construction to pay for his studies. He graduated with honors in 1967. In 1968, after his first year at the Dickinson School of Law, he joined the United States Army.
Military Service in Vietnam
Ridge chose not to go to officer training school because it would have meant a longer time in the Army. In November 1969, Ridge arrived in South Vietnam. He served for six months as a staff sergeant during the Vietnam War.
In May 1970, his time in Vietnam ended early due to a ruptured appendix. He was sent home. His service also made a childhood ear infection worse, leading him to need a hearing aid in his left ear.
For his service, Ridge received several awards. These included the Bronze Star Medal with a "V" Device for valor. He also received the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
Legal Career
After returning to Pennsylvania, Ridge finished his law degree. He graduated from the Dickinson School of Law in 1972. He then started working as a private lawyer.
In 1980, Ridge became an assistant district attorney in Erie County, Pennsylvania. He worked on 86 cases in two years.
Elected Office
Serving in Congress
.jpg)
.jpg)
In 1982, Tom Ridge won a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He represented northwestern Pennsylvania. He won by a very small number of votes. He was re-elected five more times, serving a total of six terms in Congress.
Governor of Pennsylvania
In 1994, Ridge ran for governor of Pennsylvania. He was not very well known outside of his home area. However, he won the election. He was re-elected in 1998 with 57 percent of the votes. This was the highest percentage for a Republican governor in Pennsylvania in over 50 years.
As governor, Ridge focused on improving public safety. He supported policies that aimed to make communities safer.
He also managed the state's budget carefully. The state's budget grew steadily during his time. He also created a "Rainy Day" Fund. This fund held over $1 billion for use during tough economic times.
Ridge worked to allow more competition among electric companies. He also helped get more support for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). He divided the state's environmental programs into two new agencies. These were the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
In education, Ridge supported creating public charter schools in Pennsylvania. He also helped set up new academic standards for students. These standards set clear goals for what students should learn in each grade. He also started a program to help schools use technology better. This program was called Link-to-Learn.
Ridge served as governor until 2001. He then resigned to take on a new role in the federal government.
Homeland Security Leadership
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush created a new office. This was the Office of Homeland Security within the White House. President Bush chose Tom Ridge to lead this new office. Ridge's job was to create a plan to protect the United States from future terrorist threats. He officially left his role as Pennsylvania's governor on October 5, 2001.
In January 2003, the Office of Homeland Security became a full government department. This new department was called the Department of Homeland Security. Ridge became the first Secretary of Homeland Security. The department's main goals were to prevent terrorist attacks, make the U.S. less vulnerable to terrorism, and help the country recover from any attacks.
This new department brought together 22 different government agencies and 180,000 employees. It was the biggest reorganization of the federal government since 1947. Ridge worked to strengthen borders, protect important buildings, and improve how science and technology were used to fight threats. He also created a strong plan for responding to and recovering from disasters.
Retirement from Public Office
On November 30, 2004, Ridge told President Bush he would be resigning. He said he wanted to focus more on his personal and family life after more than 22 years of public service.
In his book, The Test of Our Times, Ridge shared more about his time leading Homeland Security. The book explains the challenges and decisions made by the new department. It also shares his ideas for the future safety of the United States.
Work in the Private Sector
After leaving public office, Tom Ridge started his own company. It is called Ridge Global, an advisory firm in Washington, D.C.
He has also served on the boards of several large companies. These include The Home Depot, The Hershey Company, and Exelon Corporation. He has also been an advisor to companies like Deloitte & Touche.
Ridge Policy Group
In 2010, two of Ridge's former staff members opened a lobbying firm. Ridge allowed them to use his name for the firm, called Ridge Policy Group. This firm helps companies and organizations work with the government.
Political Activities
2008 Presidential Election
Ridge was a senior advisor to Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain in 2008. Many people thought Ridge might be chosen as McCain's running mate for Vice President.
Supreme Court Brief
In 2013, Ridge signed a special legal document called an amicus curiae brief. This document was sent to the Supreme Court to support same-sex marriage during a court case.
Blue Ribbon Commission
In 2015, Ridge co-chaired the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense. This group looked at how the U.S. protects itself from biological threats, like diseases or bioterrorism. The panel suggested many changes to U.S. policy. They found that the government needed better defenses against biological events. Their report, The National Blueprint for Biodefense, offered solutions to increase awareness and action for pandemic issues.
Later Political Views
_(cropped).jpg)
In 2020, Ridge spoke out about voting safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. He supported safe ways for people to vote, including voting by mail. He also commented on the use of federal agents in cities during protests.
In September 2020, Ridge endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president. He said it was the first time he had ever voted for a Democratic presidential candidate.
In 2022, Ridge supported fellow Republican Mehmet Oz in the 2022 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania.
Recognition and Honors
.jpg)
- He received the Woodrow Wilson Award.
- The Erie International Airport was partly named Tom Ridge Field in his honor.
- The Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania, is named after him. He helped get money for the center.
- Mercyhurst University named its Tom Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Science after him.
Personal Life
Tom Ridge's wife, Michele Ridge, used to be the executive director of the Erie County Library System. They have been married since 1979 and have two children, Lesley and Tommy.
In November 2017, Ridge was hospitalized in Texas after a heart problem. In June 2021, he had a stroke at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He had a successful procedure to remove a blood clot and later began rehabilitation therapy.
Images for kids
-
Combat Infantryman Badge
-
Bronze Star Medal ribbon
-
National Defense Service Medal ribbon
-
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon
-
Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with palm
-
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon
See also
In Spanish: Tom Ridge para niños
