Former PA Gov. Tom Ridge In Critical Condition After Stroke

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania governor and the nation's first director of Homeland Security, was in critical but stable condition Thursday after suffering a stroke at his Bethesda, MD residence.

According to a statement from the Ridge family on Twitter, Ridge, 75, remained conscious while was taken by ambulance to a Washington, D.C. hospital. He then underwent surgery to remove a blood clot.

"The family requests your prayers for a full recovery," the tweet stated. "Further updates will be provided as events warrant."

Born in Munhall just outside of Pittsburgh, Ridge grew up in Erie, which he represented in the U.S. House for six terms before running for governor in 1994. He was re-elected in 1998.

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 that killed thousands in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, PA, President George W. Bush tapped Ridge to be the nation's first director of Homeland Security.

According to his official biography, as homeland security director Ridge worked with more than 180,000 employees from22 agencies to facilitate the flow of people and goods; implement layered security at air, land and seaports; develop a unified national response and recovery plan, protect critical infrastructure and integrate new technology and improved information sharing worldwide.

Ridge served as homeland security director until February 1995.

He currently is chairman of Ridge Global. The company provides clients with solutions to cyber security, international security and risk management issues.