WEBVTT - https://subtitletools.com

00:00:05.650 --> 00:00:07.530
To the men and women of DHS:

00:00:07.530 --> 00:00:10.600
As many of you know, our role
in protecting the Homeland

00:00:10.600 --> 00:00:12.340
during the COVID-19 pandemic

00:00:12.870 --> 00:00:15.420
requires many of us
to work on the frontlines,

00:00:15.420 --> 00:00:17.600
potentially putting
ourselves at risk.

00:00:18.110 --> 00:00:19.340
Last week,

00:00:19.340 --> 00:00:21.870
I detailed what our colleagues
at Customs and Border Protection

00:00:21.870 --> 00:00:24.120
are doing to combat the virus
at our borders.

00:00:24.700 --> 00:00:26.940
Today, I would like to highlight
the remarkable efforts

00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:28.820
of our colleagues
at the Transportation Security

00:00:28.820 --> 00:00:30.050
Administration

00:00:30.050 --> 00:00:33.360
under the steadfast leadership
of Administrator David Pekoske.

00:00:34.350 --> 00:00:37.600
I was fortunate to begin my DHS
career shortly after 9/11

00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:39.640
by helping stand up TSA,

00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:42.090
the agency will always be
a special place for me.

00:00:42.630 --> 00:00:44.690
During that time, I saw the beginning
of a tradition

00:00:44.690 --> 00:00:47.690
of selflessness and dedication
that continues today.

00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:50.140
While TSA’s job is never easy,

00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:53.400
it has become even more challenging
during this crisis.

00:00:54.110 --> 00:00:56.960
That said, the men and women of
this organization have gone above

00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:00.200
and beyond expectations
by performing crucial tasks

00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:03.390
as the Department continues
to respond to the outbreak.

00:01:03.390 --> 00:01:06.520
First, our TSA officers continue
to man checkpoints

00:01:06.520 --> 00:01:08.620
at more than
400 airports nationwide,

00:01:09.130 --> 00:01:12.520
performing their duties admirably
despite the difficult conditions.

00:01:13.220 --> 00:01:16.440
Second, TSA International Staff
are continuously helping

00:01:16.440 --> 00:01:20.650
to repatriate Americans citizens
from locations across the globe

00:01:20.650 --> 00:01:24.290
by aiding the return of those who
were in particularly affected areas.

00:01:25.020 --> 00:01:27.990
Third, TSA inspectors are protecting
our economic security

00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:29.920
by working with
our industry partners

00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:33.290
to ensure the security of aircraft,
cargo facilities,

00:01:33.290 --> 00:01:35.889
and surface transportation
modes across our country.

00:01:36.660 --> 00:01:39.380
Sadly, operating on the frontlines
of this pandemic

00:01:39.380 --> 00:01:40.890
is not without its risks.

00:01:40.890 --> 00:01:43.860
I send my deepest sympathies
and condolences to the families

00:01:43.860 --> 00:01:45.740
and loved ones of TSA employees

00:01:45.740 --> 00:01:48.000
who have passed away
due to the Coronavirus.

00:01:49.650 --> 00:01:51.640
I ask each of you watching today
to join me

00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:53.890
in keeping them
in your thoughts and prayers.

00:01:54.710 --> 00:01:59.360
As always, I am incredibly grateful
to not only the members of TSA,

00:01:59.360 --> 00:02:02.120
but to this entire Department
for the resilience and dedication

00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:05.240
to service you all have shown
in this unprecedented time.

00:02:06.090 --> 00:02:08.610
Know that I will continue to do
whatever is in my power

00:02:08.610 --> 00:02:10.410
to support those
protecting America.

00:02:11.100 --> 00:02:13.240
Thank you again for
your continued resilience.

00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:15.990
We are one team, one mission,
one DHS.