It gives me great pleasure to recognize the important and complex work they do by announcing today that I am authorizing an increase in the journey level for Inspectors and Canine Enforcement Officers from GS-9 to GS-11.

Raising the journeyman level is not something that happened overnight. Even before I was officially appointed Commissioner I was briefed on the importance, the complexity, and the value of the work performed by our inspectors and CEOs. But since 9/11 our focus has changed. Our number one priority now is preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering our country.

Clearly, the responsibilities of Inspectors and CEOs have increased. It is for that reason that I have decided to recognize this increased responsibility with an elevation of journeyman grade for Inspectors and CEOs.

I want you to know that the desire to establish the GS-11 journeyman level is one that is shared by managers and employees alike. In fact, just a few weeks ago at a DFO conference in Charleston, these managers urged me to make this change. In addition, NTEU leaders, many of whom are already Senior Inspectors, have advocated raising the journeyman level. I am gratified by all of the wide support for this plan, and I am pleased that, as your Commissioner, I am able to make the "journeyman 11" a reality for Customs Officers.

Besides this action, we are also taking aggressive steps to address the staffing needs of the Inspectional workforce. We are presently in the midst of one of the most intensive hiring campaigns in Customs history. By the end of this fiscal year, we expect to hire and deploy over 1200 new Inspectors.

I am incredibly proud of the efforts of all employees to address the terrorist threat, and I am especially pleased to be able to take this action today. Together we will continue to meet the challenges that confront us and fulfill our critical mission requirements, including our responsibility for the security of our country.