Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Confirmation of the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Release Date: 05/26/06 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
May 26, 2006

I applaud the Senate for confirming W. Ralph Basham as Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Department of Homeland Security. Ralph is an incredibly experienced law enforcement professional who is uniquely qualified to lead the 41,000 employees of this vital agency.

Ralph is a highly-respected 29-year veteran of the United States Secret Service. He has served as Director of the Secret Service and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, as well as Special Agent-in-Charge of the Cleveland and Washington, D.C. field offices and the Vice Presidential Protective Division. By virtue of also having served as chief of staff at the Transportation Security Administration, Ralph brings the experience from multiple agencies of the department and an understanding of the importance of working together as a unified team to maximize results for the American people.

He will be invaluable to our strategy at our borders, strengthening security at our ports and fostering partnerships with business and international communities. I look forward to working closely with Ralph and the dedicated men and women of CBP as they carry out their important mission on America’s frontlines.

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This page was last modified on 05/26/06 00:00:00