Message from Kip Hawley to All TSA Employees
News & Happenings
August 10, 2006
Today, the Secretary of Homeland Security raised the threat level to Orange for the U.S.aviation sector worldwide and red for flights from the U.K. to the U.S. This is critical to protect the world’s travelers who transit by air to and from the United States.
Today is a critical moment in TSA’s history. Today, and in the course of every day to come, I ask every TSO standing tall at every checkpoint and baggage area, every FAM on every mission, our TSARs and inspectors around the country and worldwide, and every TSA employee, manager and executive to demonstrate the integrity, competence and resilience that have been your strength since the day TSA was created.
I expect you to demonstrate patience with the traveling public, be attentive to every detail, be vigilant in adhering to procedures and special instructions. This is our collective moment to perform as a team – TSOs, FAMs, staff – with our DHS partners in CBP and all agencies – and with our stakeholders, industry partners and state and local law enforcement.
"Know that you have my confidence, the confidence of the American public, and the confidence of our partners and stakeholders with whom we serve."
You will receive more extensive briefings from your managers and supervisors in the coming hours. You have my full support and my commitment to keep you informed as we manage through this critical time. I will use the website (www.tsa.gov) to keep you apprised twice daily – so please check this site frequently – and encourage all passengers and stakeholders to do the same.
Know that you have my confidence and the confidence of the American public, and the confidence of our partners and stakeholders with whom we serve. Apply all that you have learned in your training and remember why you came to TSA in the first place: because of our shared mission. We are here to protect the basic freedoms of our country; it is the reason TSA was created in the first place.
History will record the competence, the courage, the passion and the leadership each and every one of us demonstrates at this moment. I am proud to serve with all of you.
