Here is a link to the Commission's homepage. http://www.nssg.gov. I believe the Cabinet level position is recommended in the third report.
Here is a link to the National Homeland Security Agency Act that was introduced in the House on March 21, 2001.
Also, some of you might find my recent post on the Commission of interest. It is here. Post #52 (second one down).
Personally, I think it is worthwhile to find out where the idea for a Homeland Security Cabinet position came from and to consider the reasons why. Especially given the fact that such a Cabinet level position was the intent long before 9/11.
But, hey, that's just me.
BTT from 20 years ago...
Includes this...
Actually, the term was used in the January 31, 2001 report issued by the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century. This was the the last of a series of three reports issued by this group over a period of two years. In this final report they recommend the creation of a “National Homeland Security Agency”. In fact, after September 11, it was this group’s work that was used as a model for the mechanisms that were set up. A copy of the report can be found here: http://www.cfr.org/Public/media/attack_links.html
Now, some of you reading this may have noticed that the URL above is from the Council on Foreign Relations. Interestly enough, the commission that issued the report was first suggested by Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich, both CFR members, and implemented by Bill Cohen, also a CFR member. The two chairs, Rudman and Hart, are (yes, you guessed it) CFR members. As if that is not enough, there were ten commissioners and, here it comes, each and everyone is a CFR member. So, what you have is a situation where are new National Security policy (including the Patriot Act) is basically a product of the Council on Foreign Relations. You may be saying at this point, “So what? That is tinfoil hat stuff.” Maybe, maybe not. Might be worth checking out, though, given their influence.
One more thing: Rice, Powell and Cheney are also CFR members. In fact, every Secretary of State since WWII has been a member of CFR.