Senator Ritchie Named to Senate Counterterrorism Task Force

State Senator Patty Ritchie has been named a member of the state Senate Majority’s new task force on counterterrorism and public protection.

The nine member task force will be analyzing current counterterrorism and protection measures put into place since the September 11, 2001 Terror Attacks on America and will make recommendations for future legislative and administrative actions to public safety for all New Yorkers.

“As a representative of Fort Drum and thousands of brave soldiers who are part of the 10th Mountain Division, one of the Army’s most deployed combat units, I see each and every day the sacrifices made by our troops to protect our state, as well as our country, from terrorism. Despite their dedicated efforts,  and the efforts made by law enforcement and others, the reality is that threats remain. I look forward to being part of this Task Force, which will allow us to take a hard look at our current counterterrorism and public protection practices to see how we can improve upon them to make our state safer,” said Senator Ritchie.  

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said “I am thrilled that this Task Force will have the opportunity to draw upon Senator Ritchie’s extensive knowledge of Fort Drum and her years of cultivating positive and productive relationships with our country’s military leadership. As a Task Force member, Senator Ritchie will build upon her existing role as Fort Drum’s chief state advocate and continue her longstanding commitment to protecting all regions of our state from terrorism and other threats to public safety.”

Joining Senator Ritchie on the task force are Sen. Thomas Croci, who will serve as chair, Sen. Joseph Griffo, Sen. Andrew Lanza, Sen. Martin Golden, Sen. Simcha Felder, Sen. Kemp Hannon, Sen. Joseph Robach and Sen. Joseph Gallivan.   

The task force will be visiting critical infrastructure and public protection sites, holding public roundtables and meetings and conduct private interviews.

A final report with findings and legislative and administrative recommendations will also be published at a later date.