Washington, D.C. – Today I congratulate
the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service on the 219th anniversary of
the founding of our nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency.
Established on Sept. 24, 1789, when President George Washington signed the
Judiciary Act into law, our service has grown from the 13 original U.S.
Marshals to a force of 4,700 dedicated employees carrying out missions as
varied as apprehending fugitives, housing and transporting prisoners,
protecting witnesses and federal judges and managing and selling seized
assets.
From westward expansion to the civil rights era to today, “Justice,
Integrity, Service” have been more than just words on the U.S. Marshals seal
– they are a way of life for a dedicated cadre of professionals serving in
our neighborhoods and around the world.
I am proud to serve with each and every one of you. Congratulations on this
U.S. Marshals Day for another year of exceptional service.
Additional information about the history of
the U.S. Marshals can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov/history |