Carla Mooney - Homeland Security. A Nation Protected

Content Area Vocabulary:

Read the list. What do these words mean?

biological weapons

borders

cyber attacks

disasters

explosives

immigration

prevent

security

suspicious

weapons

Before reading a book, it is important to tap into what your child or students already know about the topic. This will help them develop their vocabulary, increase their reading comprehension, and make connections across the curriculum.

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PHOTO CREDITS: Cover photo by James Tourtellotte, CBP photography, Barbed wire background LanaN; back cover and title page: flag SFerdon; Page 4 seal courtesy U.S government, airport photo James Steidl; Page 4/5 Ints Vikmanis; Page 6 charles taylor; Page 8 Dan Howell; Page 8/9 TSGT CEDRIC H. RUDISILL, USAF; Page 10/11 James Tourtellotte CBP; Page 11 Secret Service Seal courtesy U.S government, photo Department of Defense; Page 12 James Tourtellotte CBP; Page 13 FBI photo; Page 14 Billy Hathorn, helicopter photo James Tourtellotte CBP; Page 15 port photo Charles Csavossy, CBP photography; Page 16 James Tourtellotte CBP; Page 18 Boarder Patrol patch courtesy U.S. government, map Hibrida; Page 19 Gerald L. Nino, dog photo James Tourtellotte CBP; Page 20 Gerald L. Nino; Page 21 finger print sheet David Alary, James Tourtellotte CBP; Page 22/23 Jocelyn Augustino FEMA; Page 23 FEMA; Page 24/25 Leonard Zhukovsky; Page 25 Leonard Zhukovsky; Page 26 Brian Guest; Page 28 George Bush courtesy of U.S. federal government, seal courtesy of U.S. government, Hurricane Katrina photo NASA; Page 29 Deepwater Horizon photo U.S. Coastguard, Hurricane Sandy photo NOAA

Edited by Precious McKenzie

Designed and Produced by Blue Door Publishing, FL

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Homeland Security: A Nation Protected / Carla Mooney

p. cm. -- (Freedom Forces)

ISBN 978-1-62169-926-2 (hard cover) (alk. paper)

ISBN 978-1-62169-821-0 (soft cover)

ISBN 978-1-62717-030-7 (e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013938878

Rourke Educational Media

Printed in the United States of America,

North Mankato, Minnesota

rourkeeducationalmedia.com

PO Box 643328 Vero Beach, Florida 32964

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

SECURING THE NATION

Have you ever wondered why you take off your shoes and scan your bags every time you get on an airplane? Airport security uses high-tech equipment to make sure no one is carrying weapons or explosives. These procedures were created by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is one way the department keeps America safe.

The Aviation and Transportation Security Act in 2002 requires that all passenger screening be conducted by federal employees. As a result, screening is now provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Explosive Detection System machines can quickly capture an image of a single bag and determine if a bag contains a potential threat item.

FREEDOM FACT

Every day, DHS screens 1.8 million travelers and their bags for explosives and other banned items.

The DHSs mission is to protect the United States from the many threats it faces every day. The Department has five main responsibilities. One of its top priorities is to prevent terrorism in the United States and against Americans worldwide. The DHS also secures the countrys borders. It ensures that people entering, living, and working in America have legal status to do so. In addition, the DHS protects the countrys computer information systems. The DHS is also responsible for helping during disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes.

Keeping America safe is an enormous job. Twenty-two different federal departments and agencies make up the DHS. Each department is an important piece of DHSs ultimate goal, keeping America safe.

A U.S. passport is required for all foreign travel by U.S. citizens. Your passport serves as a key that allows you to exit and enter the United States.

With more than 200,000 employees, the DHS is the third largest Cabinet department, after the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

CHAPTER TWO

ATTACK ON AMERICA

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airplanes. They flew the planes into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks. Many people had believed that terrorist attacks only happened in other countries. Now, everyone knew terrorists could strike at home.

Along with the 110-floor Twin Towers, numerous other buildings at the World Trade Center site were destroyed or badly damaged.

The Pentagon was severely damaged by the impact of American Airlines Flight 77 and ensuing fires, causing one section of the building to collapse.