Governor Bob Holden has proclaimed September National Preparedness Month in Missouri during ceremonies today at the state capitol in Jefferson City. The event is timed to coincide with the upcoming anniversary of the September, 2001 terrorist attacks. Holden says Missouri has been on the forefront of homeland security efforts being the first state in the nation to have its own homeland security director. He says better security also helps when storms strike. Holden says Missouri is also at the forefront of volunteer response when natural disasters strike. He says 175 Missouri volunteers are in Florida helping out after the hurricanes, the largest contingent of out-of-state volunteers of any state.