Remarks Prepared for Delivery
by
Director Robert S. Mueller, III
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Prefetto Giovanni De Gennaro Award Ceremony
December 8, 2006
Thank you to all of you for being here. Whether
you traveled across the country or across
the globe, we are pleased that you could join
us today as we honor Prefetto Giovanni De
Gennaro for his life of courage and sacrifice.
Welcome Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta,
Justice Antonin Scalia, Assistant to the President
Frances Townsend, Former Ambassador Melvin
Sembler and Former Acting Director Tom Pickard.
Thank you all for coming. I also want to welcome
Former Director Louis Freeh. We are especially
pleased to have you back with us for this
occasion. We would not be here today were
it not for your unwavering resolve in the
fight against organized crime.
Indeed, you have left a strong legacy with
the FBI. In particular, we are grateful for
your foresight in expanding the FBI's presence
overseas. Our 58 Legal Attaché offices
connect us with our counterparts across the
globe. Through them, we have built stronger
bonds, allowing us to work more closely on
investigations from organized crime to terrorism.
Together, we form a worldwide network of information
and intelligence sharing that greatly enhances
our ability to perform our mission.
Today's threats are the product of globalization
and the modern world in which we live. Technology
and travel have made the world smaller than
ever. Criminal and terrorist organizations
cross international boundaries with the click
of a mouse, and crime is more diverse than
ever before, including terrorism, violent
gangs, illegal weapons trade and the trafficking
of human beings. Given the threats we face,
international cooperation is vital to our
success.
The extensive international partnerships we
enjoy today would not have been possible without
the lifelong commitment of Prefetto De Gennaro.
His unyielding dedication, at great personal
sacrifice, forged unprecedented cooperation
and integration between the FBI and the Italian
National Police. We are here today to celebrate
his heroic efforts.
It was in the early 1980s that a major narcotics
distribution network was identified between
the Sicilian Mafia and the United States La
Cosa Nostra. A meeting was called, and to
our good fortune, the Italian National Police
sent us Giovanni De Gennaro.
As a result, Prefetto De Gennaro became the
primary contact between the FBI and the INP.
From that point forward, Italy and America
joined forces in the fight against global
organized criminal networks. Case agents Charlie
Rooney and Carmine Russo of the FBI worked
closely with Prefetto De Gennaro, developing
investigative strategies that would be effective
against La Cosa Nostra.
With the "Pizza Connection" and
"Iron Tower" investigations, the
FBI and INP established innovative investigative
strategies, such as use of the RICO statutes—trategies
which are still the model for pursuing gangs
and terrorists.
As an Assistant United States Attorney, Director
Freeh was the lead prosecutor for the Pizza
Connection investigation. The trial lasted
over 18 months—still the longest criminal
trial in the Southern District of New York.
Under Prefetto De Gennaro's leadership, there
was a new level of cooperation between Italy
and the United States that included unprecedented
information sharing between the FBI and the
INP.
As those who stood up to the mafia were cut
down, Prefetto De Gennaro did not falter.
He continued to pursue justice, even at great
personal hardship. Having spent more than
three decades at the top of the Sicilian Mafia
hit list, Prefetto De Gennaro has displayed
tremendous courage in the face of unremitting
danger.
Prefetto De Gennaro, today we have heard much
about your commitment to justice. It is a
commitment that runs deep. I understand your
hometown of Reggio, Italy, is the largest
and oldest city in the province of Calabria—at
the very toe of the boot.
Legend says the patron of Reggio, Saint George,
slew the dragon and freed the city from terror.
Perhaps this legend had influence because,
Gianni, you too are a dragon slayer who stood
up to the mafia and helped free Italy and
the United States from the stranglehold of
organized crime.
We owe you our profound gratitude for your
sacrifice. May your devotion, your courage
and your leadership continue to guide and
inspire us as we carry out our duties each
day.
Your wife, Carla, and your sons, Francesco
and Giulio, have also sacrificed. Their love
is a great source of strength, and their loyalty
is to be admired.
Prefetto De Gennaro, thank you for all that
you have done and all that you continue to
do. And may God continue to bless you and
your family.
And now, would you please come forward.
Prefetto De Gennaro, by bestowing upon you
this Medal of Meritorious Achievement, we
recognize your bravery and selflessness in
the face of grave and prolonged danger as
well as your immeasurable contribution to
law enforcement and to the cause of justice.
