An American Story

As Secretary of Homeland Security, I am deeply inspired by our 208,000 employees who go to work each day to protect America. Combining hard work, initiative, and ingenuity with a heartfelt love of country, they exemplify what is truly great about this nation and its people. Coming from every background and walk of life, they are indeed a microcosm of America.

I am particularly inspired by immigrants and their children who have made this nation their own and are serving our Department with pride and patriotism. I was reminded of this while reading an outstanding op-ed piece by Jason Lim in last Sunday’s Washington Post.

In the article, he tells the remarkable story of how his father, a hardworking Korean immigrant, drove him to downtown New York City after September 11, and there, in the shadow of where the Twin Towers had stood, asked him to give up a promising corporate career and work for the United States government.

I am honored and proud that Jason now serves our Department at the Transportation Security Administration. I can imagine how proud his dad must be.

It takes a special courage to leave one’s native land as Jason’s dad once did in order to pursue the promise of a better life elsewhere. It takes a special person to make that choice and a special country like America to attract special people like Mr. Lim.

Mr. Lim and Jason, like so many other immigrants and their children, had already given much to our country – Mr. Lim through his small business in New York and Jason through completing a superb education and deploying his talents in the private sector. But after September 11, in gratitude for the opportunities they’ve had, they decided to give more.

What an inspiring example! The Lims, like so many others at DHS and elsewhere – in federal, state, and local governments – demonstrate the spirit of America.

Michael Chertoff