"Combating terrorism," Bonner told the audience, "is the number one priority of the U.S. Customs Service, and it will remain our number one priority for the foreseeable future."

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

A number of distinguished guests joined Bonner on the dais: Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement Kenneth E. Lawson, Assistant Secretary for Management Ed Kingman, and Deputy Commissioner Douglas Browning. Also in attendance were Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Money Laundering and Finance Julie Myers, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Budget Michael Russell, and the Executive Secretary for the Treasury Jeff Kupfer.

Other guests included Johnny Rose from IRS, Coast Guard Rear Admiral David Beltz, Bill Simpson of the DEA, Assistant Secretary for the Secret Service Patrick Miller, CEO of the Air Transport Association Carol Hallett, and NTEU president Colleen Kelly. A number of the founding members of C-TPAT were in the audience as well: Mike Laden, President of Target stores; Shirley Zebroski, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for General Motors; and Tim Van Oost, Director of Customs for BP America.

The ceremony began with presentation of the colors by the Customs Color Guard, followed by the playing of the national anthem by the "President's Own" Marine Brass Quintet. A video presentation U.S. Customs Professionals-Ever Vigilant followed. The short presentation, a video montage of Customs employees describing the roles they play in protecting the nation, gave the audience an "inside look" at what it means to be part of America's "first line of defense."

After delivering his welcoming remarks, Bonner presented awards to 173 employees, noting four new award categories. The Anti-terrorism Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Customs anti-terrorism mission. The International Award recognizes employees who help preserve our national security, protect U.S. citizens, deter drug/contraband smuggling, and enhance U.S. trade interests and compliance internationally. The Management Reform Award recognizes employees who achieve operational or administrative management reforms. The Student of the Year Award recognizes individuals for superior performance/outstanding support efforts. Recipients received a medal and a beautiful crystal award.

The awards ceremony ended with another video, titled Protecting America, which showed Customs employees voicing their pride at playing such an important part in fighting terrorism.

Bonner concluded his remarks by noting that the agency had hired "over 2,300 new, high-quality employees-the largest number ever hired by U.S. Customs in a single year," and he congratulated the Office of Human Resources for this record achievement. "Everyone within Customs," said Bonner, "should take pride in the way our agency has served our country during this difficult time."

Anti-terrorism Awards Mathew E. Farrell Offices of Field Operations and Information and Technology Mathew Dean Dennis Parker Knapp Richard S. Kopel Justin C. Matthes Liliana Quintero Mark C. Reefe Erik Shoberg Theodor W. Thomas Edward Ulanowski Blue Eagle Award Joseph M. Rivera Community Service Awards John A. Milne Customer Service Awards Larry DiGiannantonio Office of Information and Technology Ellen A. Albert Michael F. Cooney Kay L. Fike Glen M. Fulkerson Kevin A. Huck Robert R. Mitchell Patricia M. Nickles John C. Ogliore James A. Stahl Robert B. Stenstrom Blaine R. Villwock EEO/Diversity Award Cheryl A. Latif-Linkus Enforcement Action of the Year Awards Operation Wirecutter Office of Investigations New York, New York Peter L. Angelino Jamarle A. Worilds John F. Tobon John R. Kane Nelson J. Chen Erik B. Rosenblatt Linda S. Kadluboski Martina A. Zimmerman Alysa D. Erichs Miquel A. Herrera Ruth L. Jackson Joseph A. Pica Robert C. Castioni Jr. Thomas Metcalf (INA) Andrew R. Rakowsky Operation Green Quest Augustus C. Aquino Debra L. Beckstrom (IRS) Thomas Ciak Marcy M. Forman Steve Howard (IRS) David C. Kane Gary J. Lang William M. Maloney (IRS) Michael S. Marzigliano Craig S. Moldowan James A. Plitt III Jerry Robinette III Brad S. Romanoff Vicki T. Sayre Paul Shanks (IRS) Vilma Yvonne Trevizo Exceptional Service Awards John Richie Stanton Office of Internal Affairs New York, New York Karen T. Connelly Teresa A. Courtney Carole L. Hawkins Terence S. Opiola Milagros Pabon Innovation Awards Christopher W. Pignone Office of Television Operations Barry A. Carmick Charles Csavossy Thomas J. Danei George Bryant Felton Robert J. Frongello Richard E. Greene Christiana M. Halsey Michael P. Pope Timothy Ryan Mark J. Vyrros Office of Field Operations El Paso, Texas Kevin J. Cleere Donald C. Rogers Jr. Integrity Award Luis A. Torres International Awards Robert J. Benavente Karen B. Henderson Jose A. Martinez Jr. Leadership Award James R. Coffman Law Enforcement Officer Awards Lillian Ivette Gonzalez Operation Oasis Offices of Investigation and Field Operations Memphis, Tennessee James M. Barnes Martin R. Childs Brenda F. Coleman Blaine Cecil Crum IV Melvin Howard Stephen F. McCormick Patrick T. McCumber Robert J. Mensinger Donald J. Obermiller Raymond D. Polley Michael Vincent Spinella Manager of the Year Awards Roy A. Hoffman Gloria L. Marshall Meritorious Service Awards for Valor Hector Vicente Hernandez (INA/FSN) Eleanor D. Thornton Customs Partnership Awards Office of Field Operations and Information and Technology U.S. Coast Guard, Immigration and Naturalization Service Air Transport Association, International Air Transport Association Dennis J. Benjamin Thomas M. Boyle Bob Davidson (IATA) Deborah A. Gardner Richard Harding (Coast Guard) James Patrick Jeffers Stan Knight (INS) Barbara Kostuk (ATA) Kimberly A. Nivera Steven P. ONeill Mark C. Reefe Herbert J. Vaughan Dorothy S. Wolf Professionalism Award Richard A. Fuller II Recruiter of the Year Award Wilbur A. Beamer Management Reform Award James R. Geddes II Office of Training and Development Washington, D.C. and Glynco, Georgia Janet J. Campbell Ann Mary Fleury Robert M. Frierson Lisa Gibbon Laing Robert L. Melvin Jr. David Mudrick Emike J. Seawright Joan M. Speake-Ponow Monica K. Temoney Zelma M. Thompson John E. Totten Special Recognition Awards Michael A. Domann Offices of Human Resources Management and Internal Affairs Washington, D.C. Caprice L. Barnes Letha J. Barnes James Richard Bibeault Teresa L. Burch Gary A. Carpineta Virginia L. Danvers Charlene Dawson Terry A. Evans Elizabeth Forrest Lena G. Garrett Alfreda M. Hester Mary M. McMahon Annie G. Ore Lisa M. Schwartz LaShan Felicia Scott Dorothy M. Self Brian T. Staples Jerry E. Tavenner Ellen M. Thomas Dwight Williams Top Strategic Problem Solving of the Year Awards Operation Phantom Offices of Field Operations and Investigation, U.S. Border Patrol National Insurance Crime Bureau Eagle Pass, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Pete A. Beattie Jesus Becerra (NICB) Robert R. Cagle Miguel M. Flores Salvador H. Garza Jonathan D. Morgan Rigoberto L. Perales Alberto D. Perez Christopher W. Rose (USBP) Charles J. Schuessler III Guadalupe Sepulveda Guillermo J. Villasenor Student of the Year Award Lisa M. Zabawa Top Unit Citation Awards Operation White House Offices of Internal Affairs, Investigation, and International Affairs Los Angeles, California, and Bangkok, Thailand Jeffrey W. Blossom Stephen J. Bogni Jacque L. Britton Audrey L. Freeman William A. Gowins III Kevin Scott Kozak Anne E. Littleton Diane G. McKelvey David A. Melvin Sandra Jo Moran Lawrence Owen Mark Robinson Robert Louis Sawko,Thomas E. Skinner Sene P. Tchen Unsung Hero Award Danny L. Fogle