U.S. Office of Government Ethics
1201 New York Ave., NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC  20005-3917



						June 19, 2006
						DO-06-018


MEMORANDUM

TO:	  Designated Agency Ethics Officials, General Counsels and 
          Inspectors General

FROM:	  Robert I. Cusick
	  Director

SUBJECT:  Introductory Message 


I am honored to have been nominated by President Bush and confirmed by
the Senate as Director of the Office of Government Ethics.  Much of my
thirty-eight year career as a lawyer has been focused on issues of
legal ethics and public officer ethics.  This Federal position in
government ethics law, policy, regulation and education is a
professional career capstone for me.

Corporate and public scandals of the last decade have enlivened public
interest in the subject of ethics and the message is clear:  Public
office is a public trust.  I am encouraged by the refreshing attitudes
of young people coming in to Government and by the frank recognition
of their seniors that concern for ethics is an essential element in
leadership.

As Director of OGE, I will strive to raise public discourse concerning
ethics in official Washington and beyond.  Government ethics is not a
tangential concern to citizens or their Government.  It is
fundamental.  The values of our democracy are put at risk if official
decisions are corrupted by private interest rather than being informed
by the public interest.  We all are learning new ways to educate,
regulate and make ethical conduct systemic.  The readers of this
publication know that and many are involved in the effort.  I invite
fresh ideas and suggestions.