I want to express my appreciation to Deputy Commissioner Winwood for his service as the Acting Commissioner these past eight months.

He has served ably - and well - in this difficult assignment. All of us owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Chuck.

When I was a young federal prosecutor, and when I was the United States Attorney in Los Angeles, I worked side-by-side with the U.S. Customs Service.

Later, during my tenure as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, I again had the privilege of getting to know the work of U.S. Customs firsthand.

We collaborated often on major narcotics cases with Customs special agents, who I considered to be among the very finest criminal investigators in all of federal law enforcement.

Many of our cases originated with the drug seizures generated by the outstanding work of Customs inspectors and canine enforcement officers in their efforts to interdict drugs and to thwart traffickers on America's frontline.

I was also aware of the invaluable role of Customs pilots and marine enforcement officers in preventing narcotics from ever reaching our shores.

The fact that, at the same time, Customs was facilitating billions of dollars of international trade each day with the help of talented teams of import and entry specialists only added to my deep admiration for the mission of this agency and all who supported it here in Washington and across the country.

That is why, even before taking the oath of office last Monday, I was deeply honored to be selected by the President to serve as the 17th Commissioner of U.S. Customs.

Yet, for all my acquaintance with the roles of Customs...for all my familiarity with Customs' importance to our country...it would have been difficult for me to imagine the even greater responsibilities that Customs was about to assume.

As the monstrous terrorist acts of September 11th showed, the basic freedoms we had come to take for granted as Americans are under siege.

On that dark and infamous day, our citizens, our nation came under attack...our economy came under attack...our democratic way of life came under attack from the enemies of a civilized world.

In his powerful address to the American people last week, President Bush called a nation to arms against an obscure but lethal foe.

He spoke of an unconventional battle that will play out on many fronts, over many weeks, many months, and perhaps many years.

As the guardian of our nation's borders, the Customs Service has a major part to play in this great struggle.

We are a vital link in the chain of Homeland Security.

For this is a campaign that will take place not just overseas, but all across America.

Our defenses against terrorism must extend throughout our cities, along our borders, in our airports and seaports, and in the skies above us.

Our efforts to eradicate this threat will take us deep into the crevices of our global banking system, and throughout the voids of cyberspace.

Victory will be achieved not just by military means, but through a sustained and highly coordinated effort by U.S. law enforcement to root out the terrorists and terrorism.

It will take the utmost skill and dedication of our special agents to assist in identifying terrorist cells, in destroying their financial networks using their expertise in investigating money laundering and financial crimes, in following the money trail and depriving terrorist organizations of their financial wherewithal.

It will demand the vigilant work of Customs inspectors, canine enforcement officers, and other employees serving on our frontlines to ensure the maximum level of security at our borders and in our airports. We must do all we can do to prevent terrorists and the implements of terrorism from entering our country or operating within it.

It will require the well-trained eyes of our pilots and marine enforcement officers to spot potential trouble in our skies and seas.

It will entail the ingenuity of Customs import and entry specialists to provide for the continued smooth flow of commerce despite heightened security measures.

And it will call for the firm purpose and commitment of all who manage and support our core operations, in so many ways, to sustain Customs and our heightened state of alert in the difficult days ahead.

The President has let us know that this struggle is now his highest priority for the nation.

The battle against terrorism is and will be the highest priority for the U.S. Customs Service as well.

I ask for your continued support as we enter into what may very well be a prolonged campaign.

The same resources and expertise Customs has brought to bear in the fight against the drug cartels and smugglers of other contraband will now be turned full-force on the terrorists and their networks.

Yet, it would be a grave mistake for narcotics traffickers and other criminals to interpret our focus on America’s national security as a weakening of resolve.

To the contrary, we will make life even more miserable for them as we intensify Customs operations all along our borders and around the globe.

Nor will we falter in our responsibility to shepherd the nation’s commerce.

International trade is the lifeblood of our economy, and we will do everything in our power to protect its flow.

We ask the trade community to be patient in our ongoing efforts to shield America from the immediate threat at hand. Responsibility for America’s safety must be shared by all.

We pledge to continue to work with our partners in the trade to devise solutions that meet the needs of business and our national security.

While our first priority will be the security of nation's borders and its ports of entry, efforts to modernize the Customs Service will continue.

The development of the Automated Commercial Environment is essential to Customs' ability to protect America and its commerce well into the future.

We will continue to work with the U.S. Congress, the trade community, and our prime contractor team to keep ACE on schedule and to harness its vast potential to the promotion of commerce and the strengthening of our national defenses.

Make no mistake -- the demands that will be placed upon this agency and its people will be vast in the coming days.

With one of the most complex missions of any federal agency, Customs has always been asked to do a great deal for our nation.

Now, we are asked to do even more.

As Commissioner, I pledge to advocate for the resources necessary to achieve all that is expected of this agency, and to support our people to the utmost of my abilities.

In addition, I will be visiting with as many of you as possible and traveling to Customs locations throughout the country in the days and weeks ahead, so that I can hear directly from employees about the needs of our organization.

I also want to congratulate our people personally on the outstanding job they have done since the horrendous attacks of September 11th.

That includes everyone here at Headquarters.

With your help, our people have mobilized across the country and, despite adversity, carried on their work in the very best tradition of this agency.

None typify this unyielding spirit better than our employees in New York.

Yesterday, I traveled to New York, to visit with our people there and survey what is left of our U.S. Customshouse at 6 World Trade Center.

As you know, that facility was at ground zero of the terrorist attack.

The collapse of the twin towers demolished that special building, which served as the nerve center for so much of Customs most important work.

Thankfully, and most importantly, none of our employees were lost!

Ultimately, our loss of a building was nothing in comparison to the thousands of innocent lives lost and devastated in these attacks.

It is in the name of those victims that our New York employees, some of whom lost friends and family in the attacks, are valiantly carrying on the mission of Customs and renewing the purpose of their work. I was deeply impressed by their spirit and determination.

Indeed, the example they have set should serve as inspiration to us all when, at times, the tasks ahead seem overwhelming.

Now more than ever, we must come together as an organization to advance the urgent cause at hand.

I might say that I appreciate the continued cooperation of the National Treasury Employees Union in helping Customs to respond decisively to the challenge before us.

Our world has changed dramatically since that darkest of days in our nation’s history two weeks ago.

Some might believe that I have assumed my responsibilities as Commissioner at an impossibly difficult time.

But I would not trade places with anyone.

I know that this agency is supported by the most able, hard-working, and creative people ever to have served the Nation: the men and women of the Customs Service.

The President's nomination has enabled me to occupy an office that stretches back to colonial America.

The Customs Service was present at the creation of our Republic, a cornerstone of strength for the freedoms upon which our great nation rests.

We are asked once again by the President and the American people to defend liberty from the forces of terror.

And once again, we will answer the call; of that I have no doubt.

Thank you.