On Friday, September 7, 2007, ACS and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law co-sponsored a conference entitled "Building Freedom, Building Security: America's Challenge for the Next Five Years."

Governor Thomas Kean and Senator Gary Hart, two of the nation’s leaders in national security policy, co-chaired the conference. Previously Governor of New Jersey, Governor Kean chaired the 9/11 Commission. Senator Hart co-chaired the bipartisan U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century, which presciently identified the terrorist threat prior to 9/11. They brought to the event an unparalleled combination of public service, and experience at the leading edge of thinking about national security.

The conference gathered leading experts on various aspects of national security policy who addressed how to safeguard the nation consistent with the traditional American values of preserving democracy, respecting the rule of law, and protecting individual and human rights. Audio of the speakers and panels is available.

• Opening Remarks: Senator Gary Hart
• Opening Remarks: The Honorable Thomas Kean
• Definitions and Priorities: The Challenge of Counterterrorism
• The Challenges of Gathering Intelligence and Conducting Investigations
• Building Checks and Balances for National Security Policy: The Role of Congress
• Closing Remarks: Senatory Gary Hart and The Honorable Thomas Kean