Confirmation Hearing for Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security and Ambassador, Office of Foreign Missions

Before I begin my formal statement, may I mention that I am joined here today by my wife of 33 years, Mary Jean. She is loving, caring, and has always been there for me, and I am grateful to her for her unwavering support as I am under consideration to take on these considerable challenges and responsibility. Mary Jean and I have been blessed with three wonderful children who are also here today, my daughters Kathleen and Elizabeth, and my son Michael.

While every position involves a learning curve, I believe that I am qualified to fill this position by reason of my education, my experience, and my commitment of service to our country. My career of public service spans more than 33 years and includes 26 years in the U.S. Secret Service, which culminated in my assignment as Deputy Director; and almost 8 years as the Inspector General at the Department of Veterans Affairs. During my career I have managed worldwide programs concerning protective operations, criminal investigations, intelligence, technical security, personnel security, training, budget formulation and execution, and public and congressional affairs. I have also developed an extensive network of professional contacts at all levels of the law enforcement and intelligence community. Through these partnerships we can leverage our resources, share critical information, and better protect U.S. interests both at home and abroad.

People
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is one of the largest in the Department, and its programs affect every other bureau. Its work force totals more than 34,000 employees, consisting of special agents, engineers, technicians, diplomatic couriers, Civil Service specialists, and contractors at 265 locations worldwide. These extraordinary men and women, serving our country in difficult and often dangerous circumstances, are our greatest asset. They are the key to the continued success of DS and our ability to meet current and future challenges.

The Role of DS
As the security and law enforcement arm of the Department, Diplomatic Security has a broad range of responsibilities. Its top priorities are the protection of people, facilities, and information and the conduct of criminal investigations. The spectrum of DS programs includes protection of the Secretary of State and other designated officials, criminal investigations, physical and technical security programs, guard force management, the Antiterrorism Assistance Program (ATA), Rewards for Justice, cyber security, the Overseas Security Advisory Council, and the Diplomatic Courier Service.

As the Global War on Terrorism continues, DS is on the front lines supporting the Department. DS utilizes 514 Regional Security Officers, 114 Security Engineering Officers, 69 Security Technical Specialists, 68 U.S. Navy Seabees, 89 couriers, 28,000 local national guards and surveillance detection personnel, and 139 Marine Security Guard Detachments, to secure U.S. overseas diplomatic facilities and personnel. The Regional Security Office in Baghdad is fully engaged in providing security for Department operations throughout Iraq. Agent deployment to high threat environments has been increased to support embassies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti. DS played a key role in the massive U.S. effort to assist Greek security authorities in preparing for the 2004 Olympics. DS agents and security engineering officers and technicians were present throughout the Games, protecting American athletes and dignitaries as well as staffing command and control centers. A DS officer is currently in Turin, Italy, coordinating security arrangements for the 2006 Winter Olympics. DS continues its outreach to the private sector through the Overseas Security Advisory Council, providing security advice and facilitating the exchange of security information among members of more than 100 country councils worldwide. In FY 2004, the DS Antiterrorism Assistance Program presented 209 courses and trained 4,900 foreign police and security officers from 67 countries. ATA-trained units in Indonesia and Pakistan have scored major successes against terrorists.

The DS investigative program continues to support the Department and play a major role in homeland security for the nation. DS made over 550 arrests for passport fraud and over 120 arrests for visa fraud in FY 2004. Additional criminal investigators have been assigned overseas to protect the integrity of American passports and visas. During the past year, DS also conducted over 18,000 background investigations for access to classified information, and has cut the processing time for security clearances from 195 to 95 days.

Physical, technical, and information security for the Department and our diplomatic facilities overseas is of paramount importance to DS; to that end, the Bureau is incorporating new technologies into its efforts. The DS partnership with the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations continues to reap dividends as both bureaus push for timely construction of secure facilities around the world.

The Office of Foreign Missions’ (OFM’s) primary role is to defend national security through the coordination of the activities of other foreign affairs and national security agencies with respect to foreign missions. OFM continues to develop and implement policies to improve the treatment of U.S. overseas personnel through the application of reciprocal treatment for foreign missions in the United States, protect the U.S. public from abuse of privileges and immunities, and better serve the large foreign mission community in the United States.

The challenges that DS and the Department face include continually increasing worldwide terrorist and counterintelligence threats, conducting operations in nonpermissive environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan, protecting the integrity of U.S. passports and visas to prevent their use by terrorists and criminals, and an increasing cyber threat to Department information systems.

Technology and Management
A number of DS information technology initiatives, currently in various stages of development, will help integrate Diplomatic Security’s worldwide operations. DS will be able to monitor overseas security systems and assets from its Washington-based command center, make consolidated case management systems available to agents worldwide and facilitate worldwide personnel management by tracking Special Agent availability. Continued deployment of network monitoring software will ensure the security of Department computer networks.

Training
DS must continue to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and motivated workforce. Training programs and facilities must ensure that our people have the tools to succeed. Programs must be flexible enough to prepare our personnel to operate in new environments and respond to new threats. We must continue to expand our Antiterrorism Assistance Training programs to enhance the capabilities of our partner nations in the Global War on Terrorism and we must explore new and innovative training approaches to ensure that our technical capabilities remain on the cutting edge.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I am honored to be considered for this position. If confirmed, I will assume my new duties with enthusiastic leadership and a solemn commitment to uphold the public trust.  Mr. Chairman, I pledge to work collaboratively with you and all the members of the Committee to address the many critical issues impacting the effective and efficient implementation of the foreign policy of the United States.

Mr. Chairman, I would welcome any questions that you or other members might have.

Thank you.