NYC official heads to DHS

Bush nominates New York counterterrorism official for Homeland Security job

President Bush intends to tap New York City's chief of counterterrorism for a top job at the Homeland Security Department (DHS).

Bush announced his intention March 21 to nominate Frank Libutti as undersecretary for information analysis and infrastructure protection at DHS. Federal Computer Week first reported Libutti's new position March 12.

Libutti currently serves as the New York City Police Department's deputy commissioner of counterterrorism. He previously served as special assistant for homeland security at the Defense Department. He is a retired lieutenant general in the Marines who commanded U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific.

In a statement, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly lauded Libutti's work for New York.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has said that "no city in America has done a better job in preventing terrorism than the city of New York. That's true, in large part, because Frank Libutti has been an invaluable member of our team," Kelly said.