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Colleagues, it's a true honor
to officially kick off the Department

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of Homeland Security's Combined
Federal Campaign for 2021,

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and is a real source of pride
to serve as vice chair of this effort.

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Every single day
we give back to our country.

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We contribute to our communities.

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We do it a quiet, relentless, vital
work of creating a stronger, safer nation.

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That's what public service is all about.

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And here at DHS,
our mission could not be more vital

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whether you help secure our border,
or counter terrorist threats,

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or build up resilience
to natural disasters, or protect government

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leaders, or help immigrants
become citizens or so much more.

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You give your time, your energy,
your skills and professionalism

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to a cause far greater than any one of us.

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That same spirit has led many of you
to support humanitarian efforts

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far beyond the scope of our daily duties,
from resettling vulnerable Afghans

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to providing direct aid to neighborhoods
impacted by Hurricane Ida,

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to helping us defeat
the COVID 19 pandemic.

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And now, just as it's done
for the past 60 years,

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the Combined Federal Campaign
is offering an opportunity to do even more

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to chart a course of volunteerism
in charitable giving.

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I spent much of my career in the military
and at each level of army command.

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I made it a point to step up and serve
as a CFC senior sponsor.

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And the reason is simple.

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This is an extra chance
to make a massive, direct,

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immediate difference
in the lives of our fellow Americans.

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It's a way we can support
the organizations and nonprofits

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lifting people up at the ground
level of our communities

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that need is always there.

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And that cause is always important.

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And right now, as the pandemic rages
on and folks struggle with the impacts

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on our jobs, businesses and economy,
the CFC could not be more critical.

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So today I want to issue
a challenge to all of you.

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Last year, you contributed over
six million dollars.

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Department wide this year.
Let's surpass that Stader.

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Let's go even further to support groups
on the front lines of disaster relief.

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Feeding the hungry animal rescue
education, veteran's assistance

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in any of the thousands of organizations
backed by the CFC.

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Let's check out what we can do
at "GiveCFC.org"

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I'll say it again.

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"GiveCFC.org"
In honor of the 60th year,

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Let's commit in the next 60 days
to consider volunteering

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for 60 Minutes, just one hour of our time.

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I know we can get this done,
because I know that character

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and determination of the people
who make up this Department.

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We are DHS and we are the face of change.

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And I have no doubt
we will prove that mantra true.

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And this year's combined federal campaign.

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Thank you so much for your participation
and support and for everything you do.

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I look forward to the series of events
and volunteer opportunities

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in the months ahead.

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Now, I'd like to hand it off to our

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2021 DHS CFC Campaign Manager,

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our colleague over at USCIS Kate Thorne.

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Thank you sir, and
greetings DHS colleagues.

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I'm Kate Thorne from USCIS.

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And it's an honor to serve as the 2021 DHS CFC Campaign Manager.

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Now more than ever,
not for profit organizations face

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increased demands for their services, yet
continue to struggle

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with resources during these
difficult times.

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As DHS employees,
we represent a powerful, caring community.

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Every day we show our commitment to making
a difference in the lives of our local,

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national and global communities,
and giving through the CFC

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You have the power to make a difference
for causes and charities

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that you care about by contributing at
"GiveCFC.org"

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Keep in mind, the organizations you
currently volunteer with may be eligible.

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One of the causes I support
is developing young leaders.

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Last year, I was thrilled to find
that one of the organizations

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I actively volunteer with

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was one of the thousands of organizations
in need of real time assistance.

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Pledging volunteer hours

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is a perfect opportunity for me
to be the face of change in real time

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and to foster the spirit
of giving and generosity in my children

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while making lasting memories
with family and friends.

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Volunteer hours donated
now can be fulfilled

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over the course of the year,
making it easy to accommodate

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your schedule or participate
and seasonal volunteer activities.

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I look forward to
an exciting giving season

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with you and encourage you
to join the DHS CFC community

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by participating in the many Department
wide or local events.

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Now it's my pleasure to introduce

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Mr. Vince McHone, CFC Co-Chair
for the national capital area.

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It's a great pleasure
to join my colleagues at the Department

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of Homeland Security for your 2021 Combined Federal Campaign Kickoff.

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First, I want to thank the Deputy

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Secretary for your participation
in the leadership and support of the CFC.

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I'll tell you, sir,
you are the very first Deputy Secretary

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to send out an email
about the importance of the campaign,

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and it means a lot,

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and frankly, other agencies
are following your lead.

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So I want to just thank you
on behalf of the campaign

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and our local leadership
for your efforts there.

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However, most importantly,
I want to thank each

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and every one of you
for taking time today to be here with us.

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You're the face of change,
and this is your first to becoming

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a 2021 CFC changemaker.

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The Combined Federal Campaign provides
a meaningful tool to help

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countless neighbors and our communities
across the nation and around the world.

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People that you may never know
but whose lives will be changed by

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your contributions.

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This year is a special year.

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CFC celebrates its 60th Anniversary

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since its inception
by President Kennedy in 1961.

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Members of the federal community,
like all of us, have contributed

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more than $8.5 Billion dollars for causes

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that are important to us by contributing
to tens of thousands of charities.

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Last year alone, federal employees
donated nearly $84 million in pledges

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in cash and volunteer hours for local,
national and international charities

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through the CFC.

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And here in the national capital area ,
we raised more than $37.4

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Million of that,
a 10 percent increase from the prior year.

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It was a tough year for us all.

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And federal employees stepped up,
as you always do. Here at DHS,

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you raised over $2 Million dollars

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last year, and I think that's just
in the national capital allowance.

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This is outstanding.

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And I hope that we can meet
or exceed that again this year.

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And here's why. Here's
a few examples of the changes and impacts

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that are resulting right now
from your contributions.

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$20 dollars a month has filled
a child's backpack

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with school supplies
or supplies for summer activities.

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$34 dollars
has helped a family of six

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in the wake of a disaster like Ida
with housing and other necessities.

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$49 dollars that

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provided a nurturing environment
for a homeless child for a week

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and $75 dollars has offset

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a thousand pounds of carbon
from the air we breathe.

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All of these contributions have been made

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possible by employees
like each and every one of us.

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And you can see those impacts at DHS.

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Your job every day is to secure our nation
from the many threats we face

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through the CFC.

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You can extend this mission

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by supporting the causes
that are most important to you personally.

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Further demonstrating your commitment
as a change maker and public servant.

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As I mentioned a few moments ago,
this is a special year

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for CFC as we celebrate
the 60th Anniversary of CFC.

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Let me challenge each one of you to dig
a little bit deeper.

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Consider a special one time
sixty dollars contribution in addition

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to your payroll deduction to the
an organization that you care about,

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or maybe consider signing up

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for six hours of volunteer service
over the next year through CFC.

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It's easy to do.

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Pick up your phone right now
and visit our website at give CFC dot org.

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Browse for the causes you care about.

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Make a pledge. Change
your life. It's that simple.

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In the 1960s, President Kennedy

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said of those to whom much is given,
much is required.

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If you really step away and
think about it, each one of us is blessed.

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We have good, safe jobs.

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Most of us don't struggle
to put food on the table or pay our bills.

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We have access to health care.

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We have clean water
to drink in a warm place to sleep.

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We have tools at work
to help us grow and develop.

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We have free schools for our kids.

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Of those to whom much is given,
much is required.

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Those words mean even more today
than they did nearly 60 years ago.

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This year, I ask you to join

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this special CFC team
and make a difference with us.

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I need you to be the face of change

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on behalf of the leadership
of the Combined Federal Campaign

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our participating charities

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and those who will be supported
through your generosity. Thank you.

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And to my friends at DHS,

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thanks for what you do every single day.

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It means a lot. And I am very proud
and will always be proud

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to be an alumni of
DHS. Thank you very much.