Text: Bush Announces Chertoff as Homeland Security Head Nominee

Following is the full text of President Bush's nomination of Judge Michael Chertoff to be the secretary of homeland security.

BUSH: Good morning.

I'm pleased to announce my nomination of Judge Michael Chertoff to be the secretary of homeland security.

Mike is a talented and experienced public servant.

In his stellar career, he's been a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, he's been an assistant attorney general of the United States, he's been the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, a federal prosecutor in New York City and a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William Brennan.

He's been confirmed by the Senate three times.

In all of his roles, Mike has shown a deep commitment to the cause of justice and an unwavering determination to protect the American people.

Mike has also been a key leader in the war on terror.

On September the 11th, 2001, he was managing the Criminal Division of the Department of justice, an 800-person operation devoted to enforcing our nation's criminal laws.

In the days after September the 11th, Mike helped trace the terrorist attacks to the Al Qaida network.

He understood immediately that the strategy in the war on terror is to prevent attacks before they occur.

His energy and intellect put him at the center of many vital homeland security improvements, especially increased information sharing within the FBI and with state and local officials.

He's faced countless challenging decisions and has helped to protect his fellow Americans while protecting their civil liberties.

Two years ago, we created this new department to ensure a comprehensive, unified effort to protect the American people against new dangers. Since that time, the employees of the department have carried out the largest reorganization of the government in a half a century.