Under Secretary Cohen's Testimony - Conclusion

In conclusion, I am pleased to report that the S&T Directorate is well positioned today to mobilize the nation's vast technical and scientific capabilities to enable solutions to detect, protect against and recover from catastrophic events.

Our plans for restructuring the organization have been implemented and it is indeed gratifying to see that they appear to be working as we advance to the critical phase of product transition.  Increasingly, our DHS customers are recognizing the substantial value that S&T's technical expertise brings to their operations.  We have engaged them, eliciting participation at the highest levels, to join us at the table to work constructively on solutions for countering the formidable threats this nation faces.

We appreciate the many demands on the taxpayers' precious dollars and you have my commitment that the S&T Directorate will be wise stewards of the public monies you have entrusted to us.  We are steadfast in our resolve to serve the best interests of the nation by investing in the talent and technology that will provide America with a sustainable capability to protect against acts of terror and other high-consequence events for generations to come.

Members of the Committee, I thank you for the opportunity to meet with you today to discuss a newly realigned Science & Technology Directorate that is meeting homeland security challenges with a renewed sense of purpose and mission. I look forward to working with you throughout the 110th Congress.