WEBVTT

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To the men and women of DHS,

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The coronavirus pandemic
has proven to be one

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of the most significant threats
our Nation has faced in years.

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The resiliency of our public
health system,

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national security, and economy
is being tested daily,

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and I could not be more proud
of the response

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from the men and women of the
Department of Homeland Security.

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You have all risen
to the occasion

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during our country's
most difficult challenges time

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and time again
for nearly two decades,

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and your response to
the coronavirus outbreak

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has been no exception.

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Your selflessness and dedication

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to service are a testament
to the values

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this Department holds dear.

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The unprecedented times
we are living in call

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for unprecedented action.

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Recognizing that, President
Trump declared a nationwide

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emergency on Friday,
March 20th.

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This necessary action
helps streamline

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our federal response
to the outbreak.

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It also puts you,
the DHS workforce,

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on the frontlines
of our response operations.

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Whether it is screening
passengers

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at our funneling airports,

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preventing the spread
of the virus at the border,

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safely processing cruise ships
or supporting state

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and local governments
across the country with response

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and recovery activities DHS
is there.

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Sadly, the crucial work
of this Department

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often requires our personnel
to put themselves at risk.

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This is especially true
for our TSA officers

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and employees at airports.Due
to the nature of their work,

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they require close contact
with the traveling public.

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My thoughts and prayers are
with the approximately

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130 DHS employees
who have tested positive

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for coronavirus. We
wish them all a speedy recovery.

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That said, we have taken
several measures

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to protect the DHS
frontline workforce to

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include the use of personal
protective equipment,

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social distancing
when appropriate

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and the changing of certain
critical procedures.

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Unfortunately, the reality
of the situation we face

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is that some employees
will be affected by the virus.

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That is why managers have been
issued a decision matrix

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on what to do
if someone from their team

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becomes exposed or ill.

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Human Capital has issued
guidance to component leaders

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on what they can do
to protect their employees.

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These measures include
very simple solutions,

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such as minimizing
large gatherings

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to closing DHS
fitness centers.

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They also include
substantial changes,

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such as self-quarantining
employees who have returned

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from certain affected countries
across the globe

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and limiting travel
to mission essential activities.

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Going forward, I encourage
each of you

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to pay close attention
to the regular,

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Departmental wide updates

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detailing what you can do
to protect yourselves.

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Now let me talk to you
for a minute

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about the other side
of this crisis and

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how this is affecting
many of our workforce

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on a personal level.

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From child care issues,
to financial concerns

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and mental health
considerations,

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such as stress and isolation. I
want you to know

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that the leadership is aware
of the unique challenges

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you are facing and we are hard
at work on solutions.

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We have implemented a telework
policy

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for most employees in an effort
to minimize exposure

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and are looking at other ways to
ensure essential staff members

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are able to continue to work

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in high transmission areas
of the country.

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We are also examining ways
to supplement our ranks

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with temporary
staff particularly

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those who may have retired
a short time ago.

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Given the nature
of the outbreak,

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it’s inevitable
that DHS facilities

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will be impacted
by the outbreak.

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That is why our Chief Resource
Support Officer

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is working with our federal
and private partners

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to ensure these facilities
remain safe and operational

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as we continue to do our part
to eliminate the coronavirus.

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I understand the many concerns
that you have as we continue

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to fulfill our mission
to protect the American people.

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Rest assured, you have
the Department's full support.

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We will do everything
in our power

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to keep you safe as you continue
to fulfill your duties.

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Our country is at an inflection
point in its history.

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By honoring the commitment
to protect our Homeland,

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our actions today will determine
what is remembered

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by generations tomorrow.

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I have complete faith in this
Department's ability

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to rise to that challenge.

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It’s is in times like these
that I am in awe of your courage

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and commitment to our mission.

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As we continue to face
the challenges

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presented by the pandemic,

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know that you have
my complete support

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and that of this Department.

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I wish you all Godspeed as we,
together,

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overcome this challenge.

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We are one team, one mission,
one DHS.