President Donald Trump on Thursday named Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to the national Council of Governors.
That's a panel of U.S. governors who advise the U.S. Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council, on issues related to the National Guard and national defense, federal homeland security, civil support missions and disaster response.
Parson said in a news release that he appreciated Trump's appointment to the council "to help build and strengthen the partnership between the federal and state governments.
"We look forward to finding solutions to better protect our nation from threats around the globe and to ensure effective response to natural disasters and emergencies at home," Parson said.
The Council of Governors was authorized by federal law in 2008 and established in 2010 as a bipartisan panel of 10 governors from around the nation.
Parson said: "The Council plays an important role in providing bipartisan advice from the states to the White House on these vital matters, including how we most effectively can utilize the National Guard around the globe and across the nation."
In the governor's news release, state Public Safety Director Sandra Karsten added: "In Missouri, we have a wealth of experience planning for and responding to natural disasters, as well as supporting military missions around the globe through the Missouri National Guard. Our DPS team stands ready to fully support Gov. Parson and provide our input to him as he represents Missouri and the nation on the Council of Governors."
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Missouri Army and Air National Guard have supported more than 20,000 individual federal deployments, and more than 14,000 Guardsmen have been mobilized for more than 30 state emergency missions in that same time period.
"We know Gov. Parson will be an outstanding advocate for the Show Me State's Soldiers and Airmen on the Council," Missouri Adjutant Gen. Steve Danner said in the news release. "At home and abroad, (he) knows how critical it is to have a trained and ready National Guard."
Danner also said: "No National Guard in the nation has a more credible, demonstrated track record for excellence than our Missouri National Guard."
Beginning in 1975, Parson served six years in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Europe. He also served 22 years in law enforcement, including 12 years as Polk County sheriff.