On behalf of General O’Dell and all the staff in the Office of the Federal Coordinator, I want to start by thanking all of those participating in today’s announcement - Deputy Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Gordon Mansfield; Mayor Ray Nagin; LSU President Dr. John V. Lombardi; Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority Paul Rainwater; and of course the Assistant Administrator for FEMA's Gulf Coast Recovery Office Jim Stark. Without each of you, and many dedicated staff and volunteers working diligently behind the scenes, this monumental announcement would not be taking place. Thank you.

Federal Coordinator Douglas O'Dell and the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (OFC) team were recognized today by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff at the Fourth Annual Secretary's Honor Awards. The 16-member OFC team was honored with three awards—two Secretary's Awards for Team DHS Excellence. Additionally, Secretary Chertoff selected Paul T. Conway, OFC's Chief of Staff, to receive one of the Secretary's Silver Medals, the second highest award at the Department of Homeland Security.

The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule will help prevent terrorist weapons from being transported to the United States by requiring both importers and carriers to submit additional cargo information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before the cargo is brought into the United States by vessel.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today new information requirements on maritime cargo destined for the United States. The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule will require maritime cargo carriers and importers to submit additional data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before vessels are permitted entry into the country.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff honored the department's 218,000 employees during its fourth annual awards ceremony on November 20, 2008 to recognize the many accomplishments of its men and women.

General Douglas O’Dell, Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, told experts gathered for a rental housing roundtable discussion that their ideas were key in helping restore, rebuild and build affordable rental housing for the residents of Louisiana on Tuesday, November 18, 2008.