WEBVTT

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>> It's very difficult for me to

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fully express my gratitude and excitement

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for this opportunity to serve as a Deputy Commissioner of CBP.

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As you've heard from the Commissioner and the Secretary,

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we are the world's leading border security agency

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and a premiere law enforcement agency

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and we can and will get better together.

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We have so much going for us.

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I mean, some of you have heard me talk about the five pillars of CBP:

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our tremendous mission, our unique authorities, our world leading capabilities,

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our remarkable people and our developing culture.

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On the mission side, we are both a guardian of our nation's borders

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and the gateway to the U.S. economy.

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It's pretty compelling.

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We're at the center of our government's efforts to

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protect the United States against terrorists and trans-national crimes,

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strengthen the U.S. economy by welcoming growing trade and travel

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and building the global system with our partners in North America and abroad.

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In terms of capabilities, we have the Air and Marine Force,

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the surveillance equipment, the unique data, the technology,

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the analytical capabilities to use it to do our job more effectively.

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But our people are our heart and soul.

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I believe we have the best leadership team in government

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and I know that we have a frontline workforce that has never let us down,

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no matter what challenges they face from trans-national criminal organizations

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to budget issues to unaccompanied children to Ebola.

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And we're attracting the tremendous talent

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and investing in enhanced training for them to take us to the next level.

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And we continue to build a culture of dedication, innovation and teamwork.

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And with the Secretary and Commissioner's leadership,

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integrity and transparency to protect our most valuable asset, the public trust.

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I for one am fired up to follow our tremendous leaders forward,

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benefit from all those strengths

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and take us to the next level for the American people.

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I just want to thank everyone again for coming.

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Our interagency partners, our friends from the Hill, our trade and travel partners.

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It's an honor for me to see you all here.

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And I just want to say in closing that helping the Commissioner

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to lead this organization is an awesome responsibility, I recognize that.

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I will endeavor to approach it with humility and determination

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and I can promise you a hundred percent of my passion,

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my energy and effort to work for him and for all of you,

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especially the men and women of CBP.

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Thank you again for coming today.

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I look forward to partnering with you closely in the months and years ahead.

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Thank you.

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[Applause]