[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 58 (Monday, May 11, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4634-S4635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SERVICE

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, as the United States observes 
National Police Week, I believe this to be an appropriate time to 
recognize the outstanding work performed by the men and women of the 
Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
  As the security and law enforcement arm of the Department of State, 
the DSS, since 1916, has protected U.S. diplomatic installations and 
personnel around the world as well as providing critical security and 
law enforcement services within the United States. Presently, 260 DSS 
special agents are serving in over 140 of our embassies and consulates 
throughout the world. Additionally, 500 special agents are assigned to 
offices throughout the United States and work closely with their 
counterparts in federal, state, and municipal law enforcement 
organizations.
  DSS special agents have been in the forefront of the fight against 
international terrorism and transnational crime. In 1995, DSS special 
agents assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, working 
closely with Pakistani Authorities, were instrumental in the 
apprehension of Ramzi Yousef, a terrorist wanted in connection with the 
World Trade Center bombing in New York City. DSS agents had the lead 
role in debriefing the original informant, coordinating surveillance of 
Yousef's activities, and entered Yousef's room alongside Pakistani 
police to effect his arrest. Subsequently, Yousef was convicted in New 
York of his heinous act of terrorism and sentenced to life imprisonment 
without parole.
  The DSS also runs effective Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Narcotics 
awards programs in which it offers large cash rewards of up to $4 
million. In 1995, this program, along with the efforts of DSS agents 
throughout Latin America, helped to bring about the downfall of the 
Cali drug kingpins of Colombia, apprehending eight high ranking members 
of that organization. The DSS is currently playing a very key role in 
attempting to apprehend suspects involved in the Khobar Towers bombing 
in Saudi Arabia, the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie 
Scotland, as well as Mexican drug trafficking.
  The DSS also plays an important role in ensuring the security of our 
borders through investigations of falsified U.S. passports and U.S. 
visas. In the U.S., work in this area complements the work of state and 
local authorities as well as other federal agencies. This role enables 
the DSS to utilize versatile charges that enable it to apprehend 
fugitives and return them to various jurisdictions throughout the 
United States.
  In my own state of California, DSS agents were instrumental in 
establishing a verification system involving possession of U.S. visas, 
whereby many illegal immigrants have been identified who were 
previously, and fraudulently, claiming and receiving medical and 
welfare benefits from the state of California. The California 
Department of Health Services estimates that this system saved 
California taxpayers over $2 million in 1997 alone.
  Additionally, the DSS has conducted extensive training programs for 
foreign police officials, both in the U.S. and abroad, which over the 
last decade have resulted in over 18,000 foreign police officers 
receiving training in anti-terrorism and anti-crime skills. By 
enhancing the capabilities of these police elements, the DSS is 
increasing the capacity of other countries to render assistance to the 
United States in our continuing struggle against international 
terrorism and crime.
  Furthermore, the technical expertise of the DSS' security engineering 
personnel has enabled the nation's business to be transacted safely and 
securely in hostile environments

[[Page S4635]]

throughout the world. U.S. diplomatic installations rely on the ability 
of the DSS to provide a secure area in which to conduct sensitive 
functions. These programs provide the secure technical foundation in 
computer and information security which is so necessary in today's 
technological age.
  The DSS has continually provided crucial support services for our 
foreign policy and law enforcement objectives. Their contributions have 
been recognized by the granting of heroism awards by organizations such 
as the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) and the 
International Organization of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
  In the first session of Congress, the Foreign Relations Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 (H.R. 1757), approved the inclusion 
of members of the DSS under the provisions of the Law Enforcement 
Availability Pay (LEAP). A separate proposal, H.R. 633, would also 
include these personnel under the law enforcement retirement 
provisions. These measures, which provide long overdue parity for DSS 
personal with federal law enforcement colleagues, will be important in 
determining the future role of DSS agents.
  I would like to thank the Diplomatic Security Service for the 
tireless role that they have played in combating terrorism and 
transnational crime as well as helping to protect U.S. businesses, 
embassies, and all the branches of the U.S. government represented 
abroad. They have continually provided crucial services in support of 
our foreign policy and law enforcement objectives, often at substantial 
risk to their own lives.

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