NAPO Washington Reports

Secretary Napolitano Bids DHS Farwell

September 16, 2013

On Friday, September 6, 2013, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano bid farewell to DHS at a ceremony in Washington, DC. Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Acting Deputy Secretary Rand Beers delivered remarks and thanked the Secretary for her service to DHS and to our nation.  The following includes an excerpt of remarks delivered by Secretary Napolitano:

“The men and women of DHS have performed their jobs bravely these past four-and-a-half years. Every day, seeing your dedication and commitment – and that of your families – has been a great source of inspiration to me. And I know after I leave, you will still be committed to the mission, you will still continue to perform, and you will still serve this country with the tireless dedication you’ve had during my time here. I hope you will accept my sincere gratitude for your efforts. It has been an honor and privilege to serve with you, and call you my colleagues. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I wish all of you the very best in the future." – Secretary Napolitano

Rand Beers became the Acting Secretary of DHS on September 6, 2013. Previously he served as Acting Deputy Secretary from May 2013 until September 2013.  In June 2009, Beers was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) at the DHS where he has led NPPD’s integrated efforts to reduce risks to physical, cyber and communications infrastructures. Throughout his service at DHS prior to becoming Acting Secretary, Beers was a trusted advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, providing invaluable counsel and guidance on a wide spectrum of homeland security issues, from counterterrorism efforts to cyber security.

In addition to fighting domestic crime, law enforcement is assuming more duties to protect America’s communities against terrorist threats.  Law enforcement supports the DHS mission to secure America by preventing and deterring terrorist attacks, and to protect against, and respond to threats and hazards to the nation.  NAPO will keep our members updated on future nominations for the Secretary of DHS.

Sources

"Homeland Security." Secretary Napolitano Bids DHS Farewell. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.dhs.gov/blog/2013/09/09/secretary-napolitano-bids-dhs-farewell>.

"Homeland Security." Rand Beers. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. <http://www.dhs.gov/person/rand-beers>.