Public hearings of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The Commission held periodic public hearings to offer a public dialogue about the Commission's goals and priorities. The Commission also sought to learn about work already completed and the state of current knowledge, in order to identify the most important issues and questions requiring further investigation.

First public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The purpose of this public hearing was to engage those whose lives were forever changed by the events of September 11 in a public dialogue about the Commission's goals and priorities. The Commission also sought to learn about work already completed and the state of current knowledge, in order to identify the most important issues and questions requiring further investigation.

Hearing Agenda

March 31, 2003
9:00 - 9:45 AM	Commissioners' Opening Statements
9:45 - 10:15 AM	Remarks by The Honorable Governor George Pataki, State of New York Remarks by The Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City of New York
10:15 - 11:30 AM	The Experience of the Attack Harry Waizer, Cantor Fitzgerald survivor David Lim, Port Authority Lee Ielpi, Fire Department of New York (retired) Brian Birdwell, United States Army Craig Sincock, United States Army (retired)
11:30 - 1:00 PM	Representatives of the Victims Stephen Push, Families of September 11 Mary Fetchet, Voices of September 11 Mindy Kleinberg, September 11 Advocates Allison Vadhan, Families of Flight 93
1:00 - 2:00 PM	Break
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM	The Attackers, Intelligence, and Counter-Terrorism Policy Daniel Byman, Georgetown University Abraham D. Sofaer, Hoover Institution Brian Jenkins, RAND Magnus Ranstorp, University of St. Andrews
Day 1 of hearing concludes. Press availability for Chair and Vice Chair.
Tuesday, April 1
9:30 - 9:45 AM	Hearing Reconvenes
9:45 - 11:00 AM	Borders, Money, and Transportation Security Glenn Fine, U.S. Department of Justice Lee Wolosky, Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP Gerald Dillingham, Civil Aviation Issues, General Accounting Office
11:00 - 12:35 PM	Law Enforcement, Domestic Intelligence, and Homeland Security Michael Wermuth, RAND Steven Brill, Author of After: How America Confronted the September 12 Era ZoÎ Baird, Markle Foundation Randy Larsen, ANSER Institute for Homeland Security
12:30 - 1:30 PM	Break
1:30 - 3:00 PM	PANEL: Immediate Response to the Attacks Shawn Kelley, Arlington County Fire Department William Baker, American Society of Civil Engineers Ken Holden, New York Department of Design and Construction (DDC)
Hearing concludes. Press availability for Chair and Vice Chair.

Second public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The Commission's second public hearing was held on May 22 - 23, 2003 in Washington, DC. The Commission heard testimony on Congressional oversight as well as the state of the aviation security before and after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Hearing Agenda

May 22, 2003
Congressional Oversight
9:00 AM	Hearing Commences Opening Statement from Chairman Kean
9:05 AM	Commission Mandate and Objectives Rep. Nancy Pelosi Sen. John McCain Sen. Joseph Lieberman
9:30 AM	Intelligence Oversight and the Joint Inquiry Sen. Bob Graham Sen. Richard Shelby Rep. Porter Goss Rep. Jane Harman
10:45 AM	Affected Constituencies Sen. Charles Schumer Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Sen. Jon Corzine Sen. Frank Lautenberg Rep. Jerry Nadler Rep. Christopher Shays Rep. Christopher Smith
TBD	Break
Civil Aviation Security
2:00 PM	State of the System: Civil Aviation Security on September 11th Jane Garvey, former Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration Kenneth Mead, Inspector General, Department of Transportation James May, President, Air Transport Association of America Bogdan Dzakovic, Civil Aviation Security Inspector, Transportation Security Agency
4:00 PM	Hearing Concludes. Press availability to follow.
May 23, 2003
Civil Aviation Security (continued)
9:00 AM	September 11, 2001: The Attacks and the Response The Honorable Norman Mineta, Secretary of Transportation MajGen Craig McKinley, Commander, 1st Air Force and the Continental U.S. NORAD Region LTG Mike Canavan (ret.), former Associate Administrator for Civil Aviation Security
11:00 AM	Reforming Civil Aviation Security: Next Steps Stephen McHale, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security Agency MGen O.K. Steele (ret.), former Associate Administrator for Civil Aviation Security Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General, Department of Transportation
1:00 PM	Hearing Concludes. Press availability to follow.

Third public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

Terrorism, Al Qaeda, and the Muslim World

The one-day session focused on "Terrorism, al Qaeda, and the Muslim World." The Commission heard testimony from experts on the character of the transnational terrorist threat, the relationships of Arab states to these groups, and the phenomenon of violent extremism within the Muslim community. An agenda and list of panelists accompanied this advisory.

In announcing the hearing, the Commission's Chair, former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean, said: "A key Commission responsibility is to understand the enemy. Good policy recommendations will depend on a clear understanding of al Qaeda's emergence and strategy."

The Vice Chair, former Indiana Representative Lee H. Hamilton, added: "There is considerable knowledge of al Qaeda and terrorist groups outside the government. This session will enable us to achieve a better understanding how the Arab world has viewed this danger, before and after September 11."

Hearing Agenda

July 9, 2003
Terrorism, Al Qaeda, and the Muslim World
9:00 AM	Hearing Commences Opening Statement from Chairman Kean PANEL ONE: Al Qaeda Rohan Gunaratna, Head of Terrorism Research and Associate Professor, Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore and author of Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror Mamoun Fandy, Senior Fellow, United States Institute of Peace and author of Saudi Arabia and the Politics of Dissent Marc Sageman, Lecturer, Solomon Asch Center for the Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict, University of Pennsylvania
11:00 AM	PANEL TWO: States and Terrorism Laurie Mylroie, Adjunct Fellow, American Enterprise Institute and author of Study of Revenge: Saddam Hussein's Unfinished War Against America Judith Yaphe, Senior Research Fellow and Middle East Project Director, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University Murhaf Jouejati, Adjunct Scholar, Middle East Institute and Lecturer, George Washington University Mark Gasiorowski, Professor of Political Science, Louisiana State University
1:00 PM	Break
2:00 PM	PANEL THREE: The Challenge within the Muslim World Rachel Bronson, Senior Fellow and Director of Middle East Studies, Council on Foreign Relations Steven Emerson, Executive Director of the Investigative Project and author of American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us Gilles Kepel, Professor, Institute of Political Studies, Paris and author of Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam Dennis Ross, Director and Ziegler Distinguished Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
4:00 PM	Hearing Concludes. Press availability to follow.

Fourth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

Intelligence and the War on Terrorism

The Commission heard testimony from two sets of witnesses on leadership of U.S. intelligence, intelligence and national security policy, and the effectiveness of warning against transnational threats. Among the six witnesses testifying was former Secretary of Defense and Director of Central Intelligence James R. Schlesinger and former Deputy Secretary of Defense and Director of Central Intelligence, John M. Deutch.

In announcing the hearing, the Commission's Chair, Thomas H. Kean, said: "How to improve the effectiveness of the Intelligence Community against the terrorist threat is one of several areas Congress mandated our commission review. We are considering several ways of strengthening it, including the question of whether the United States should establish a Director of National Intelligence. We have invited several eminent former and current public officials to share their experience and expertise with us at this open hearing."

"We also want to know," added Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton, "how our government prepares warnings about attacks-both as it took place before September 11th and today."

"We have invited three witnesses with extensive experience on the question of warning to visit with us on how it may be improved," Hamilton stated.

Hearing Agenda

October 14, 2003
"Intelligence and the War on Terrorism"
9:00 AM	Hearing Commences Opening Statement from Chairman Kean
	Leadership of U.S. Intelligence
(9:05)	James R. Schlesinger, Chairman, MITRE Corporation, and former Director of Central Intelligence and Secretary of Defense
(10:00)	John M. Deutch, Professor of Chemistry, MIT, and former Director of Central Intelligence and Deputy Secretary of Defense
11:00 AM	Intelligence and National Security Policy James B. Steinberg, Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution, and former Deputy National Security Adviser
12:00PM	Break
1:00 PM	PANEL: Warning of Transnational Threats Richard Kerr, Former Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency Mary O. McCarthy, Visiting Fellow, CSIS, and former National Intelligence Officer for Warning, Central Intelligence Agency John Gannon, Staff Director, House Select Committee on Homeland Security
3:00 PM	Hearing Concludes. Press availability to follow.

Fifth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The Commission's fifth public hearing on "Emergency Preparedness" was held on November 19, 2003 at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

The Commission heard from New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey; four panels of business officials and federal, state, and local government representatives; and individuals working to enhance emergency preparedness in the private sector.

In announcing the hearing Commission Chair, Thomas H. Kean stated: "One of the lessons learned from 9-11 is that private sector preparedness remains critical to our national security. We know from our work to date that tenants of the World Trade Center varied widely in their levels of preparation for a catastrophic event. Many lacked evacuation plans that had been practiced, alternative communication systems, the ability to identify who was working that day, and fully executable business continuity plans."

"The Commission is charged with recommending ways to improve emergency preparedness in the aftermath of September 11th," Kean stated. "While we never want to confront another 9-11, our nation must always be prepared," he continued.

"With nearly 85 percent of the critical infrastructure of our country owned and operated by the private sector," Commission Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton said, "it is clear that any measures the public sector takes on its own will not be enough to guarantee the safety of all Americans."

"The public and private sectors need to join forces to ensure that their efforts are successful," Hamilton added.

Hearing Agenda

November 19, 2003
"Private/Public Sector Partnerships for Emergency Preparedness"
10:00 AM	Hearing Commences Opening Statement by Chairman Kean
	Welcome and Highlights of New Jersey's Public/Private Sector Partnerships Governor James E. McGreevey
10:15 AM	Risks and Consequences of Terrorism for the Private Sector John Degnan, Vice Chairman, The Chubb Corporation
11:00 AM	PANEL: Skyscraper Safety Issues from 9-11 Family Members Monica Gabrielle, Co-Chair, Skyscraper Safety Campaign Sally Regenhard, Founder and Co-Chair, Skyscraper Safety Campaign
11:45 AM	PANEL: Public/Private Initiatives Since 9-11 Michael F. Byrne, Director, Office of National Capital Region Coordination, Department of Homeland Security Dennis J. Reimer, Director, National Memorial Institute for Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) Richard A. Andrews, Senior Director, National Center for Crisis and Continuity Coordination
1:00 PM	Break
1:45 PM	Multimedia Presentations of Initiatives across the United States Kings County, WA (Public/Private Sector Disaster Preparedness Plan) International Association Assembly Managers (Preparedness Training in the U.S.)
2:00 PM	Private Sector Experience on 9-11 William Y. Yun, President, Fiduciary Trust Company International
2:30 PM	PANEL: Standards for Emergency Management and Business Continuity Glenn Corbett, Professor of Fire Safety, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Member, NIST Investigation, and Bergen County Fire Captain Randall Yim, Director, National Preparedness Team, General Accounting Office
3:30 PM	PANEL: Future Strategies for Private Sector Preparedness William G. Raisch, Director, Emergency Corps Program, Sponsored by The Greater New York Safety Council Peter R. Orszag, Joseph A. Pechman Senior Fellow in Economic Studies,The Brookings Institution James Haviaris, Vice President for Operations and Management, Rockefeller Group Development Corporation Thomas Susman, Partner, Ropes & Gray and Chief Author of Business Roundtable Report on Terrorism: Real Threats. Real Costs. Joint Solutions.
5:00 PM	Hearing concludes. Press availability to follow.

Sixth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission) held its sixth public hearing on December 8, 2003 on Capitol Hill. The one-day hearing focused on "Security and Liberty."

The Commission heard testimony from four panels of witnesses on domestic intelligence collection, protecting privacy while preventing terrorism, and the use of immigration laws to combat terrorism. Among the twelve witnesses testifying was former Attorney General William Barr, former Deputy Attorneys General Larry Thompson and Philip Heymann, and former Deputy Secretary of Defense John Hamre.

In announcing the hearing, Chair of the 9-11 Commission, Thomas K. Kean said: "The question of how to ensure the safety of the American people while protecting their civil liberties is one that arises whenever our Nation is at war. As we prepare to make recommendations to keep our country safe and free, we want to hear a variety of opinions from people who have studied ways to further both important goals."

"The unprecedented nature of the attacks against our country led to a strong response," said Lee H. Hamilton, the Commission's Vice Chair. "We want to know more about that response, how well current policies are working, and what steps are needed to protect our cherished liberties as well as protect the Nation," Hamilton added.

Hearing Agenda

December 8, 2003
"Security and Liberty"
9:00 AM	Hearing Commences Opening Statement by Chairman Kean
9:15 AM	Intelligence Collection within the United States Larry D. Thompson, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, and former Deputy Attorney General of the United States Philip B. Heymann, Professor of Law, Harvard University, and former Deputy Attorney General of the United States Stephen J. Schulhofer, Professor of Law, New York University
10:45 AM	Protecting Privacy, Preventing Terrorism Judith A. Miller, Partner, Williams & Connolly, and former General Counsel, Department of Defense Stewart A. Baker, Partner, Steptoe & Johnson, and former General Counsel, National Security Agency Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director, Electronic Privacy Information Center
12:15 PM	Break
1:00 PM	Preventive Detention: Use of Immigration Laws and Enemy Combatant Designations to Combat Terrorism Jan Ting, Professor of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law, and former Assistant Commissioner for Refugees, Asylum and Parole, Immigration and Naturalization Service Khaled Medhat Abou El Fadl, Visiting Professor, Yale Law School, and Professor, Distinguished Fellow in Islamic Law, UCLA School of Law David Martin, Warner-Booker Distinguished Professor of International Law, University of Virginia Law School, and former General Counsel, Immigration and Naturalization Service
2:30 PM	Government Organization and Domestic Intelligence William P. Barr, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Verizon Communications, and former Attorney General of the United States John J. Hamre, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and former Deputy Secretary of Defense John MacGaffin, Director, AKE LLC, and former Associate Deputy Director for Operations, Central Intelligence Agency
4:00 PM	Hearing concludes. Press availability to follow.

Seventh public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission) held its seventh public hearing on January 26ñ27, 2004, in Washington, DC. The two-day investigative hearing developed facts and circumstances relating to border and aviation securityótwo central aspects of the Commissionís mandate.

The Commission heard from current and former officials from the public and private sectors, concluding with testimony from Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security James M. Loy. In addition to witness testimony, four staff statements were delivered during the course of the proceedings. A complete hearing agenda follows this advisory.

In announcing the hearing, the Commission's Chair, former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean, said: ìThis hearing will be the first at which the Commission will share some important facts about the immigration and aviation security systems in place on September 11, 2001. We want to use this occasion to bring forward additional, and in some cases different, information from what is currently in the public record.î

The Vice Chair, former Indiana Representative Lee H. Hamilton, added: ìNow that we are further along in our investigation, we believe it is time to begin to share with the public and families of those who perished in the 9-11 attacks some of the things the Commission has learned.î

Hearing Agenda

Monday, January 26, 2004
"Borders, Transportation, and Managing Risk"
9:00 AM	Opening Statement by Chairman Kean STAFF STATEMENT Entry of the 9/11 Hijackers into the United States
9:30 - 11:30 AM	PANEL ONE The Border Security System Prior to September 11 Mary A. Ryan, former Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Department of State Doris Meissner, former Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice
11:30 - 12:00 PM	PANEL TWO An Incident in Florida Jose E. Melendez-Perez, Inspector, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
12:00 - 1:00 PM	Break
1:00 - 1:30 PM	STAFF STATEMENT Three 9/11 Hijackers: Identification, Watchlisting, and Tracking
1:30 - 3:15 PM	PANEL THREE Visas and Watchlisting Today Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Department of State Russell E. Travers, Deputy Director, Information Sharing and Knowledge Management Department, Terrorist Threat Integration Center Donna A. Bucella, Director, Terrorist Screening Center, FBI
3:15 - 4:45 PM	PANEL FOUR The Response to September 11 on the Borders James Ziglar, former Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security Peter F. Verga, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense, Department of Defense
4:45 PM	Closing Statement by Chair Thomas H. Kean and Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
9:00 - 9:30 AM	STAFF STATEMENT The Aviation Security System and the 9/11 Attacks
9:30 - 12:00 PM	PANEL FIVE Aviation Security on 9/11:The Regulators Jane F. Garvey, former Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration Cathal L. ìIrishî Flynn, former Associate Administrator of Civil Aviation Security, Federal Aviation Administration Claudio Manno, Assistant Administrator for Intelligence, Transportation Security Administration
12:00 - 1:00 PM	Break
1:00 - 2:30 PM	PANEL SIX Aviation Security on 9/11:The Airlines Edmond L. Soliday, former Vice President of Safety, Quality Assurance, and Security, United Airlines Andrew P. Studdert, former Chief Operating Officer, United Airlines Gerard J. Arpey, Chief Executive Officer, American Airlines Tim J. Ahern, Vice President ñ DFW Hub, and former Vice President of Safety, Security, and Environmental, American Airlines
2:30 - 3:00 PM	STAFF STATEMENT The Four Flights
3:00 - 3:30 PM	PANEL SEVEN Acts of Courage in the Sky Nydia Gonzalez, Manager, Southeast Reservations Center, American Airlines
3:30 - 4:30 PM	PANEL EIGHT Risk Management after September 11 James M. Loy, Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
4:30 PM	Closing Statement by Chair Thomas H. Kean and Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton

Statements Submitted for the Record

Eighth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States held its eighth public hearing on March 23-24, 2004, in Washington, DC. The two-day hearing investigated the formulation and conduct of U.S. counterterrorism policy, with particular emphasis on the period from the August 1998 embassy bombings to September 11, 2001.

The Commission heard from current and former top-level administration officials. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet, and Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage testified, as did former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, former National Security Adviser Samuel R. Berger, and former National Counterterrorism Coordinator Richard A. Clarke. In addition to witness testimony, four staff statements were delivered during the course of the proceedings.

In announcing the hearing, the Commission's Chair, former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean, said: ìA central aspect of our Commissionís mission is counterterrorism policy: what options senior officials considered before September 11, 2001, and what choices they made. This is clearly one of the most important hearings the Commission will hold. We will bring together senior officials responsible for national security policy from the past two administrations, to explain how they handled the most pressing security threat to our country.î

Commission Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton added: ìThese hearings will be a historic opportunity to inform our final report, understand how September 11 happened, and help us formulate recommendations to make America safer and more secure.î

Hearing Agenda

"Counterterrorism Policy"
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
9:00 - 9:30 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 5 Diplomacy
9:30 - 11:00 AM	The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright Former Secretary of State Submitted Testimony
11:00 - 12:30 PM	The Honorable Colin L. Powell Secretary of State Submitted Testimony
12:30 - 1:30 PM	Break
1:30 - 2:00 PM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 6 The Military
2:00 - 3:30 PM	The Honorable William S. Cohen Former Secretary of Defense Submitted Testimony
3:30 - 5:00 PM	The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld Secretary of Defense Submitted Testimony
Wednesday, March 24 2004
8:30 - 9:00 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 7 Intelligence Policy
9:00 - 10:30 AM	The Honorable George J. Tenet Director of Central Intelligence Submitted Testimony
10:30 - 11:00 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 8 National Policy Coordination
11:00 - 12:30 PM	The Honorable Samuel R. Berger Former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Submitted Testimony
12:30 - 1:30 PM	BREAK
1:30 - 4:00 PM	Mr. Richard A. Clarke Former National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, National Security Council Submitted Testimony
4:00 - 5:30 PM	The Honorable Richard L. Armitage Deputy Secretary of State
5:30 PM	Hearing concludes. Press Availability to follow.

Ninth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States held its ninth public hearing on April 8, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Commission heard testimony from Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Statement of Dr. Condoleezza Rice

Tenth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States held its tenth public hearing April 13-14, in Washington, DC. The two-day hearing examined the performance of law enforcement and the Intelligence Community prior to September 11 and evaluated post-9/11 reforms in these areas.

The Commission heard from current and former top-level officials from our nationís law enforcement and intelligence communities. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet, and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III testified before the Commission, as well as former Attorney General Janet Reno, former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, and former Acting FBI Director Thomas J. Pickard. In addition to witness testimony, four staff statements were delivered during the course of the proceedings.

In announcing the hearing, Commission Chair, Thomas H. Kean stated: ìThis hearing will focus on four important questions: How was our government structured before 9/11 to address the terrorist threat inside the United States? What was the threat in 2001 and our governmentís response to it? How did the Intelligence Community address the threat? What reforms have been taken since 9/11 to respond to the terrorist threat inside the United States, and what have these reforms achieved? These questions are at the core of the Commissionís mandate.î

ìWe want to understand what went wrong, and what steps have been taken to make the American people safer and more secure,î said Commission Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton. He added, ìThese hearings will help us clarify issues and choices as we move toward recommendations and our final report in July.î

Hearing Agenda

"Law Enforcement and the Intelligence Community"
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
9:00 AM	Opening Statement by Chairman Thomas H. Kean
9:05 - 9:30 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 9 Law Enforcement, Counterterrorism, and Intelligence Collection in the United States Prior to 9/11
9:30 - 11:00 AM	The Honorable Louis J. Freeh Former Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony
11:00 - 12:30 PM	The Honorable Janet Reno Former Attorney General of the United States Submitted Testimony
12:30 - 1:30 PM	Break
1:30 - 2:00 PM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 10 Threats and Responses in 2001
2:00 - 3:30 PM	PANEL: SUMMER 2001 Mr. Thomas J. Pickard Former Acting Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony Ambassador J. Cofer Black Former Director, Counterterrorism Center, Central Intelligence Agency Submitted Testimony
3:30 - 4:45 PM	The Honorable John Ashcroft Attorney General of the United States Submitted Testimony
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
9:00 - 9:30 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 11 The Performance of the Intelligence Community
9:30 - 11:00 AM	The Honorable George J. Tenet Director of Central Intelligence Submitted Testimony
11:00 - 1:00 PM	PANEL: PREVENTING FUTURE ATTACKS INSIDE THE UNITED STATES Mr. John O. Brennan Director, Terrorist Threat Integration Center Submitted Testimony Lieutenant General Patrick M. Hughes Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis, Department of Homeland Security Submitted Testimony Mr. John S. Pistole Executive Assistant Director for Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony Mr. James L. Pavitt Deputy Director of Operations, Central Intelligence Agency Submitted Testimony
1:00 - 2:00 PM	BREAK
2:00 - 2:30 PM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 12 Reforming Law Enforcement, Counterterrorism, and Intelligence Collection in the United States
2:30 - 4:30 PM	PANEL: FBI LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVES POST-9/11 The Honorable Robert S. Mueller III Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Submitted Testimony FBI Report Ms. Maureen Baginski Executive Assistant Director for Intelligence, Federal Bureau of Investigation
4:30 PM	Hearing concludes. Press Availability to follow.

Eleventh public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States held its eleventh public hearing May 18-19, 2004, at New School University in New York City. The two-day hearing examined the response of local and federal emergency response departments on September 11, 2001, and considered how to improve these critical functions in the event of future terrorist attacks.

The Commission heard from the current and former top-level officials in the fire, police, and emergency management departments of New York City, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Arlington County, Virginia. Secretary of Homeland Security Thomas J. Ridge and former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani also testified. Two staff statements were presented during the course of the hearing.

ìAt this hearing, the Commission turns its attention to the day of September 11, 2001. We will focus on what confronted civilians and first responders during the attacks, how they made decisions under adverse conditions, and what first responders communicated to civilians and to each other,î said Commission Chair Thomas H. Kean.

ìThe Commission also will explore the state of the emergency preparedness and response today,î said Commission Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton. ìWe will examine what steps have been taken since 9-11 to improve our preparedness against terrorist attacks and other emergencies, and whether we need national standards of preparedness.î

HEARING AGENDA

"Emergency Response"
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
8:45 - 10:00 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 13 Emergency Preparedness and Response
10:00 - 11:15 AM	PANEL ONE Alan Reiss Former Director, World Trade Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Submitted Testimony Joseph Morris Former Chief, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department Submitted Testimony
11:15 - 1:00 PM	PANEL TWO Bernard B. Kerik Former Commissioner, New York Police Department (NYPD) Submitted Testimony Thomas Von Essen Former Commissioner, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Submitted Testimony Richard Sheirer Former Director, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Submitted Testimony
1:00 - 2:00 PM	BREAK
2:00 - 3:45 PM	PANEL THREE Raymond W. Kelly Commissioner, New York Police Department (NYPD) Submitted Testimony Nicholas Scoppetta Commissioner, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Submitted Testimony Joseph F. Bruno Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Submitted Testimony
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
8:00 - 8:30 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 14 Crisis Management
8:30 - 10:00 AM	The Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani Former Mayor, City of New York
10:00 - 11:00 AM	PANEL FOUR Dennis Smith Author, ìReport from Ground Zeroî Submitted Testimony Jerome M. Hauer Former Director, New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Submitted Testimony Edward P. Plaugher Chief, Arlington County Fire Department Submitted Testimony
11:00 - 11:15 AM	The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor, City of New York Submitted Testimony
11:15 - 12:45 PM	The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge Secretary of Homeland Security Submitted Testimony
12:45 PM	Hearing Concludes. Press Availability to Follow

Twelfth public hearing of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission) held its twelfth and final public hearing June 16-17, 2004, in Washington, DC. The two-day hearing focused on two distinct topics: the 9-11 Plot and the federal governmentís immediate response to the attacks on September 11, 2001.

On June 16 at the National Transportation Safety Board Conference Center, the Commission heard from several of the federal governmentís top law enforcement and intelligence experts on al Qaeda and the 9-11 plot. The hearing resumed on June 17, with the top military and civilian aviation officials testifying about their agenciesí responses to the 9-11 attacks. In addition to witness testimony, three staff statements were presented during the course of the proceedings.

ìAt this, the Commissionís final public hearing, we will attempt to close the circle,î said Commission Chair Thomas H. Kean. ìWe will look back to the roots and growth of al Qaeda, its previous attacks on the United States, its financing and international support, and how it plotted such detailed and intricate attacks on our soil. The Commission will then turn again to the day of September 11, 2001, to examine how the federal government learned of and responded to the attacks.î

ìThe Commission has to ask some important questions about that day,î said Commission Vice Chair Lee H. Hamilton. ìWhat was federal government protocol for responding to attacks of the kind we experienced on 9-11? How well did our government respond that day? How is the federal government now prepared to respond, in the event of future attacks?î

HEARING AGENDA

"The 9/11 Plot"
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
9:00 - 9:30 AM *Note: This is a change.	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 15 Overview of the Enemy
9:30 - 11:00 AM	PANEL: AL QAEDA Ms. Mary Deborah Doran Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation Mr. Patrick J. Fitzgerald U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois CIA Official
11:00 - 12:00 PM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 16 Outline of the 9/11 Plot
12:00 - 1:00 PM	BREAK
1:00 - 3:00 PM	PANEL: OUTLINE OF THE 9/11 PLOT Ms. Jacqueline Maguire Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation Mr. James N. Fitzgerald Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation Mr. Adam B. Drucker Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation CIA Official
"National Crisis Management"
Thursday, June 17, 2004
8:00 - 9:15 AM	STAFF STATEMENT NO. 17 Improvising a Homeland Defense
9:15 - 11:30 AM	PANEL: MILITARY RESPONSE ON 9/11 General Richard Myers, USAF Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral (select) Charles Joseph Leidig, USN Commandant of Midshipmen, United States Naval Academy General Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command Major General Larry Arnold, USAF (Ret.) Former Commander, Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR)
11:30 - 1:00 PM	PANEL: FAA RESPONSE ON 9/11 Mr. Monte Belger Former Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration Mr. Jeff Griffith Former Deputy Director, Air Traffic Control, Federal Aviation Administration Mr. John White Former Facility Manager, Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center, Federal Aviation Administration Mr. Benedict Sliney Operations Manager, New York Terminal Radar Approach Control, Federal Aviation Administration
1:00 PM	Hearing Concludes.