[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE AND INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. THOMAS C. SAWYER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 1994

  Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, the House considered and passed H.R. 4400, 
the Postal Inspection Service and Inspector General Act. I want to 
commend Congressman Bill Clay, chairman of the Committee on Post Office 
and Civil Service, for introducing this important legislation and 
moving it in an expeditious manner.
  The Committee on Post Office and Civil Service conducted a lengthy 
investigation and held several hearings to review the activities of the 
Postal Inspection Service. The information uncovered during that 
process was disturbing, to say the least.
  Over the years, the Postal Inspection Service spent a considerable 
amount of time and financial resources in its efforts to eliminate 
substance abuse in the postal workplace. I do not quarrel with the 
Inspection Service's goal. However, the operation, known as collars for 
dollars, was a disaster of execution from its inception. Postal 
Inspectors relied heavily on information provided by paid confidential 
informants, many of whom had questionable reputations.
  Postal Service officials told the committee that this practice has 
ended. However, enactment of H.R. 4400 will ensure that future 
investigations are carried out in a responsible manner by individuals 
who are properly trained to conduct undercover drug stings.
  H.R. 4400 also establishes an independent inspector general [IG] for 
the Postal Service. Currently, the Chief Postal Inspector is vested 
with this authority, thus allowing the Postal Inspection Service to 
operate without adequate, objective oversight. An independent IG will 
provide the Board of Governors and the Postmaster General with unbiased 
assessments of the operations of the Postal Service, including the 
Inspection Service.
  As chairman of the Subcommittee on Census, Statistics and Postal 
Personnel, which has oversight responsibility for matters affecting the 
postal work force, I strongly supported passage of H.R. 4400. The 
legislation will ensure that unchecked drug stings, which disrupted the 
lives of many innocent postal employees, do not recur. At the same 
time, it will help restore the damaged reputation of the Postal 
Inspection Service.

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