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Secretary Ridge Takes Time To Discuss Homeland Security Issues With Los Angeles County Medical Reserve Corps Director

July 29, 2004

Dr. Ray Goodman, Director of the Los Angeles County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC),

Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Dr. Ray Goodman, Director of the Los Angeles County Medical Reserve Corps, shaking hands.

was recently given a unique opportunity to spend some time with one of the most prominent figures in U.S. national security, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

Secretary Ridge, who was scheduled to visit Los Angeles on June 22, 2004, had expressed interest in meeting a member of the Los Angeles community who is making a difference through volunteer efforts. Sandra Shields, the lead for Community Emergency Response Team activities in Los Angeles County, learned of Secretary Ridge’s planned visit and suggested Dr. Goodman represent the volunteers of Los Angeles County Citizen Corps Council programs working in homeland security. Having worked with Dr. Goodman for more than a year, she was confident he was more than qualified for the task.

Before the visit, Dr. Goodman was asked to submit to Secretary Ridge’s office a detailed biography and briefing on his previous volunteer services dating back more than 50 years. After passing all the necessary security checks, Dr. Goodman was then scheduled for a 5-minute meeting with Secretary Ridge.

Dr. Goodman greeted Secretary Ridge early in the morning at the Los Angeles hotel where the Secretary was staying. Dr. Goodman and Secretary Ridge discussed some of the unique threats facing Los Angeles, the efforts being made to prepare for them, and the role of the MRC in aiding in these efforts through volunteering. After the allotted meeting time elapsed, Secretary Ridge continued talking with Dr. Goodman, generously giving 30 minutes more of his time.

“[Secretary Ridge] was most personable and intensely interested, especially in our public education program and the Interfaith Bereavement Council,” Dr. Goodman noted. Dr. Goodman’s Interfaith Bereavement Council represents about 4.5 million members of religious congregations in Los Angeles, from all the major faiths and denominations.

Dr. Goodman added that by the end of the meeting, he and Secretary Ridge were referring to each other on a first-name basis. The meeting provided a rare opportunity for an MRC Director to meet one of the highest ranking U.S. officials and to discuss real issues and possible solutions with an authority figure who is working to effect real change and impact the future of the nation.

Dr. Goodman is scheduled to appear on National Public Radio to discuss the Los Angeles County MRC on August 5 at 11:30 a.m. PST (local area station 89.3 KPCC). Listeners outside the Los Angeles area can hear the broadcast online at http://www.scpr.org/news/.

Last Updated on 5/26/2006