The National Governors Association picked Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to be vice chairman of its Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, the group announced Saturday.
Hutchinson will serve alongside Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, the committee chairman. The committee looks at homeland security issues as well as the National Guard, criminal justice, public safety and veterans affairs, according to a release from Hutchinson's office.
The National Governors Association is a bipartisan organization that includes the elected heads of all 50 states. The group will be led by new chairman Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and vice chairman Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
"The tragedies of late across the country -- shootings that range from those at a Charleston, S.C., church to a recruiting center at Chattanooga, Tenn., to a movie theater in Lafayette, La., -- serve as a sober reminder that seeing to the security of our homeland and the public safety of our citizens is the most important thing we do as elected officials," Hutchinson said in a written statement.
He said his previous experience as federal Homeland Security undersecretary means he has much to offer the committee.
When reached by phone, Hutchinson, who was in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., for the meeting, said it was an important time for the committee as the United States faces threats from terrorists, challenges in the criminal justice system, and states face security issues -- specifically at military bases and recruiting centers.
"We've taken steps individually as a state to address the security issues, but more will need to be done in the coming months and that will be part of the focus," he said.
Metro on 07/26/2015