Secretary Johnson Honors Senator Mikulski with the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal

On Wednesday, October 26, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson presented Senator Barbara Mikulski with the Distinguished Public Service Award during a ceremony at the U.S. Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center. The DHS Distinguished Public Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Secretary to recognize exceptional and transformational public service. 

Representing the state of Maryland, Senator Mikulski is the longest serving woman in the history of the U.S. Senate. Her tenure in public service also includes serving on the Baltimore City Council and U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Mikulski’s leadership on homeland security and intelligence related issues has made her one of the leading congressional experts on these issues. Senator Mikulski supported the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and has since been a strong advocate for the department.

Secretary Johnson presents Senator Mikulski with the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal (DHS Photo/Barry Bahler)

Secretary Johnson and Senator Mikulski were joined by Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and DHS senior leadership for a tour of the training facility, including a protective operation demonstration by the Secret Service’s Counter Assault Team.

U.S. Secret Service demonstrate a security operation for Senator Mikulski and DHS senior leadership (DHS Photo/Barry Bahler)

Past recipients of the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal include former NYPD Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, former Senator Saxby Chambliss, and former Senator Joe Lieberman.