Introduction to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security

(As prepared for delivery.)

Good morning and welcome to the Department of State. It’s nice to see so many students who have traveled from all around the country to learn a little bit about what goes on in our nation’s capital. I hope all of you have been able to get out and tour Washington, DC.  It’s a fascinating city––in spite of the nasty summer weather we get here. 

I want to speak to you today about the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.  Though I was just sworn in as Assistant Secretary for the Bureau on June 22, it is already abundantly clear to me that the men and women of DS are an impressive team. I know––and by the end of this talk, I believe you will know too––that the people who work at DS not only have some of the most exciting jobs around, but they also perform a great service for our country. The men and women of DS make great sacrifices and even risk their lives.  They do this for our country and the people of the United States.

All of you here today––some of the most gifted and intelligent students in the country––also have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference for America. And as I speak today, I would like you to think about your future. I spent my entire professional career in public service. I served for 26 years in the U.S. Secret Service, retiring as Deputy Director.Then I went on to serve as Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before I took my current position at DS. And I can assure you, my decision to become a public servant has been very rewarding.

Whether you choose to become a public servant in the Federal government, or choose a different career path, I urge you to use your talents to improve society and to help our country. You will find that your most selfless acts will, ironically, end up bringing you the most satisfaction and happiness.

Now, let me tell you a little bit about what we do at DS and how our mission contributes to the safety and security of the people of the United States.  DS is the security and law enforcement arm of the State Department. We protect the nation’s embassies, diplomats, and classified information.  We conduct criminal investigations. We lead U.S. security operations for our country’s embassy and missions in Iraq. And we protect the leaders of some of the most politically volatile countries on earth. Quite simply, we do what it takes every day to ensure the United States can conduct diplomacy safely and securely around the world. 

Without a doubt, our work can be dangerous. And our commitment to providing safety and security for U.S. diplomacy comes at a high cost.  Since the beginning of 2004, 22 DS employees and contractors lost their lives in the line of duty. Yet many other brave DS employees and contractors continue to step right into the middle of crisis situations, risking their lives to save others. In just the past few months, DS agents fought their way into angry mobs in two African countries to save Americans under attack. Three other DS agents recently received heroism awards for rescuing Haitian civilians who were being attacked by armed mobs.

In these perilous times, our mission is more important than ever. Altogether, about 34,000 individuals––-a global force––work as a team to achieve our goals. We are located in the United States and more than 265 locations worldwide. Our staff is made up of special agents, engineers, couriers, security specialists, civil servants, and other professionals.

Our team protects Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, wherever she goes in the world. We keep embassy and mission employees safe in times of extreme civil disorder. And we ensure the security of foreign dignitaries visiting the United States. Some of the people we have protected recently include Great Britain’s Prince Charles, former leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, the Dalai Lama and the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.

Through our investigations into passport and visa fraud, we ensure that those who traffic in illegal passports and visas are apprehended. In addition, when criminals such as child molesters, murderers, and drug dealers flee the country, our special agents track them down and ensure they face justice in the United States.

One of our main jobs at DS is to secure State Department employees, buildings and information. To provide the utmost protection, our security engineers and technicians design and install state-of-the-art systems that detect explosives and keep intruders away. To stop terrorists, they set up special barriers outside our buildings. They also outfit our doors and windows to withstand explosions. Our analysts constantly monitor intelligence on terrorist and security threats.

DS fights more than threats from terrorists and criminals––we also counter espionage attempts against the State Department. We conduct sophisticated technical inspections to determine if anyone is spying on us with high-tech equipment, and scour our buildings for hidden surveillance devices. To fight hackers and others trying to gather intelligence, we protect the State Department’s worldwide network of systems and information. To protect classified and sensitive material while it is in transit, our diplomatic couriers escort documents and other material through foreign countries.

This is just the beginning of what we do. We train foreign police and security officers to combat terrorism. We manage reciprocity and immunity issues for foreign diplomats in the United States. We run the Rewards for Justice Program that offers rewards for information about terrorists. And we help American businesses overseas combat terrorism through a program that facilitates the exchange of security information.

Everything we do at DS contributes to the safety and security of American diplomacy. Because of the high stakes involved––for our DS employees, the people we protect, and for U.S. diplomacy itself––we take our work very seriously. All of our security initiatives are developed and carried out in a painstakingly thorough manner. Behind the scenes, our employees put an incredible amount of time, effort, analysis and forethought into everything that they do.

Students, I challenge you, also, to always do your best. Every day, you should strive for nothing less than excellence. As I told our most recent class of new special agents at their graduation ceremony: always act with integrity and ingenuity, pride and humility, patience and persistence.  Work hard, and uphold the highest ethical standards and traditions. 

Clearly, all of you who are attending this leadership conference have been given the tremendous gifts of intelligence and an ability to lead. Some of you might even go on to become the future leaders of our country. Because you are blessed with these tremendous abilities, I urge all of you to dedicate yourselves to using your gifts to help others––especially those less fortunate than you. 

Take care, and enjoy the rest of your visit to Washington, DC.  I would be happy to take your questions.

Thank you.