Honoring the Employees of the Department of Homeland Security
(WASHINGTON) – Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) submitted the following statement for the record in support of H. Res. 1038, a resolution honoring the employees of the Department of Homeland Security:
“It is my pleasure to be here today to honor the employees of the Department of Homeland Security.
As we mark the Department’s fifth anniversary, we must keep in mind that it is the people of the Department who make the sacrifices to keep us all safe. Five years ago, this new Department was created and charged with the crucial mission of protecting and securing our homeland. This was not an easy task in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Hurricane Katrina demonstrated that this was a broader mission than the Department’s leadership initially thought.
However, despite the challenges before them, the employees of the Department have remained focused on ensuring the security of all Americans. We talk about the activities of TSA or FEMA or CBP. What sometimes gets lost in the discussion are the individuals behind the acronyms. The people of DHS deserve our praise and our gratitude.
They include:
• The Customs and Border Protection Officers who man our ports-of-entry;
• The Federal Air Marshals who, everyday, sit through the same flight delays that so frustrate the American public to do their part to keep the flying public secure;
• FEMA teams who trek selflessly into disaster zones to help those in need;
• Support personnel such as contracting officers, administrative assistants, technical support teams without whom the folks on the front lines could not do their jobs.
I could go on, but my time is limited and I think my point is clear. All the men and women of the Department deserve to be recognized for 5 years of hard work. They work nights, weekends, and holidays. They put their life on the line to secure our country from all manner of threats.
Today, we are here to extend a hard-earned and much deserved ‘Thank You.’
As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, it is an honor for me to stand here today in support of this resolution. I have, at times, been critical of the Department’s management.
But I want to be very clear: my criticism of the Department’s management should in no way be construed as a lack of appreciation for the individuals who are making daily sacrifices to secure our nation.
I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring these ‘everyday heroes.’”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978.
