Attributable to Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon:
On Thursday, July 11, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks delivered closing remarks via video teleconference at the 29th Council of Governors plenary meeting being held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In the session, she participated alongside Council Co-Chairs Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Governor Phil Scott of Vermont; Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo; White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for States and Implementation Ryan Whalen, and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Rebecca Zimmerman.
The Deputy Secretary emphasized that today's dynamic security environment requires federal and state officials to develop and maintain a strong working relationship to protect the nation. She highlighted the Council as an example of what it means to "succeed through teamwork" on topics ranging from natural disaster response to building resiliency for critical infrastructure.
Finally, Deputy Secretary Hicks noted that the successful execution of the National Defense Strategy depends on timely resources and thanked the Council for their help in encouraging their Congressional delegations to pass on-time and full-year defense appropriations, as that is one of the best ways Congress can support the Department.
The 29th plenary meeting of the Council focused on the progress made pursuing priority issues concerning cybersecurity; emergency management and disaster response; military matters; and workforce matters. They also discussed state and federal coordination to build cyber and physical resiliency for critical infrastructure, strategic guidelines for the Defense Fiscal Year 2026 Program Build, the consultative process between federal entities and governors, and governors' views on homeland defense and homeland security matters in their states.
Deputy Secretary Hicks was joined by other senior DoD leaders during the plenary meeting, including: Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Mike McCord; Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish S. Vazirani; Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo, U.S. Northern Command Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Carden, National Guard Bureau Director of Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5) Maj. Gen. Darrin Slaten, and Air National Guard Deputy Director Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak.
Additional representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, National Guard Bureau, and U.S Northern Command also attended.
Required by law and established in 2010 by executive order, the Council of Governors is a bipartisan council of 10 state governors appointed by the President to exchange views, information, or advice with federal officials on homeland defense, the National Guard, civil support, and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities. Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Rebecca Zimmerman serves as Executive Director of the Council.
Members of the Council of Governors include: Governor Tim Walz (D-MN), Co-Chair; Governor Phil Scott (R-VT), Co-Chair; Governor John Carney (D-DE); Governor Brad Little (R-ID); Governor Eric Holcomb (R-IN); Governor Maura Healey (D-MA); Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI); Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM); Governor Henry McMaster (R-SC); and Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY).
Deputy Secretary Hicks last addressed the Council of Governors Plenary in February, 2024.