Printer Friendly
USPS News: Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2001
Testimony from Kenneth C. Weaver, Chief Postal Inspector
before the Senate Subcommittee on
International Security, Proliferation and Federal Services
September 20, 2001
before the Senate Subcommittee on
International Security, Proliferation and Federal Services
September 20, 2001
Thank you Postmaster General Potter, Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee for the opportunity today. I have a separate written report of the activities of the United States Postal Inspection Service and would like to have it entered into the record.
Mr. Chairman, today I am wearing an American flag on my lapel in place of the Postal Inspector pin that I normally wear. I have served in the Army, as you have, under this flag. I have also served under this flag for 30 years in the Unite States Postal Service, 27 of those years as a Postal Inspector. As the Chief Postal Inspector, I have always been proud of the outstanding work performed by the men and women of the Postal Inspection Service.
But, I have never been more proud of how Inspection Service employees handled themselves and answered the call to duty than I have during this crisis.
As the tragic terrorist events of last week unfolded, the Inspection Service immediately took action in support of the Postal Service and all Americans.
Across the country, Inspectors, Postal Police Officers and support personnel performed acts of heroism and provided security and investigative assistance to protect employees and customers, the mail, our Post Offices, and to help others in their efforts to address our nation's tragedy.
The Inspection Service has the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of postal employees, facilities and assets, as well as the United States Mail. We have done just that; and, we have done more.
I visited New York yesterday to express my heartfelt appreciation to all our people for the outstanding effort that they have put forth during this crisis.
Although shaken from the attacks, there is that "steely" New York resolve to put things back together. I saw it in the eyes of our employees. They will not be defeated.
On the tragic day of September 11, our New York Division suffered the most serious effects from the attack. The postal facility across the street from the World Trade Center-- Church Street Station-- was the home for numerous Inspection Service staff employees.
Inspectors at Church Street offered immediate assistance to victims on the street -- civilians and local police officers injured in the attack - and helped to evacuate the area as smoke and debris filled the air.
Since the attack, Inspectors in New York and at outlying offices have been following up on the numerous bomb threats and scares which have forced evacuation of postal facilities. We are also working with the FBI on investigative leads in the New York area.
When the attack on the Pentagon occurred, Postal Inspectors from the Washington, DC area responded to assist FBI agents with evidence collection at the crash site. In Pennsylvania, Inspectors from the Pittsburgh area reported to the plane crash site at Somerset County to assist in securing the site and the mail. Three teams of Postal Inspectors continue on rotating shifts at the FBI Command Center.
We are also providing significant investigative assistance and support to the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration, and emergency management agencies across the nation, while assisting postal operations managers at the command center. As Postal Service operations managers have dealt with moving the mail during the last week, the Inspection Service has worked to ensure mail security nationwide.
For example, the Amtrak network has been expanded and Postal Inspectors are present at key locations nationwide that serve as transfer points for the mail.
Tragedies so often bring out the best in people. Unfortunately, tragedies also bring out those who would prey on the misfortune of others, and on that very desire to help victims. These are the con artists who will solicit donations through the mail for the families of victims, yet not a dime will ever make it to those in need. Postal Inspectors will aggressively pursue those con artists.
And we are offering some advice to the American public on how to make sure their donations go where they are intended. In conjunction with this hearing, we have issued a press release with this useful information and I would like to make it part of the record.
Safety and security of Postal Service employees is my top priority. Security must be a part of all postal employees' daily activities. We have advised management of security precautions they should take to contribute to this overall effort. I am also proud that postal employees have provided eyes and ears in our nation's neighborhoods and business communities. In recent days our employees have provided information which has assisted law enforcement investigative efforts during this crisis.
Before closing, Mr. Chairman, I want to again salute the outstanding commitment to duty and resolve of Postal Inspectors, postal police officers, and our support staff. And I assure you that the United States Postal Inspection Service will continue to work to keep our employees and customers safe, to keep the mail moving, and to preserve America's confidence in its postal system.
We will also continue to join with other federal law enforcement agencies in the investigation of last week's tragic events.
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your interest in the Inspection Service and the opportunity to address you. This concludes my remarks.
###
