[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNITION OF ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE US-VISIT PROGRAM, P.T. 
                                 WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2007

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
talented leader and individual, Mr. P.T. Wright. P.T., who currently 
serves as Acting Deputy Director of the United States Visitor and 
Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program, is retiring 
from the Federal government after 34 years of distinguished service.
  Since P.T. began his career with the former U.S. Customs Service in 
1973, he has served with distinction in a number of key positions at 
the Departments of the Treasury and Homeland Security. In his 
management roles with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Dallas/Fort 
Worth, Texas; El Paso, Texas; Nogales, Arizona; and Washington, DC, 
P.T. was intricately involved in the development of customs policies 
for cargo examination and processing, drug interdiction and traveler 
processing.
  Most recently, P.T. brought his track record of outstanding 
leadership to the Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT program. 
The program benefited from his oversight and management of day-to-day 
operations.
  P.T.'s familiarity with the communities surrounding our land borders 
has been a tremendous asset to US-VISIT. P.T. understood that active 
engagement with border stakeholders was critical in creating a 
foundation of trust and support upon which to build positive long-term 
relationships. He tirelessly traveled Southwest border communities to 
inform and educate border constituents about border management 
developments and initiatives. As a result of his in-depth knowledge of 
the land border environment and his ability to speak with clarity and 
conviction, P.T. earned the affection of border community leaders and 
gained instant credibility. And when P.T. returned to Washington, he 
took what he heard from border constituents and helped make real, on-
the-ground improvements to US-VISIT.
  While not yet completed, US-VISIT is now the world's most innovative 
and integrated biometrics program. This is in no small part due to 
leaders like P.T. Wherever he went, P.T. spread the message that 
biometrics are a powerful tool to improve the integrity of our 
immigration and border management system, to make us safer, and to 
facilitate legitimate travel and trade. I have no doubt that US-VISIT 
is on a path to continue to drive the innovative use of biometrics for 
identity management. P.T. deserves a great deal of credit for that 
success.
  Mr. Wright's accomplishments and leadership were recognized last year 
with the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive 
for his extraordinary contributions to our Nation's welfare and 
security over the course of a U.S. border management career spanning 34 
years.
  P.T. Wright is beloved within the US-VISIT program and around the 
many federal agencies that have worked with him. All who have had the 
opportunity to work with P.T. are better off for the experience. His 
candor and infectious sense of humor will be missed, but we are 
grateful for his long service and many contributions.
  Madam Speaker, I urge that my colleagues join me in honoring P.T. 
Wright for his exceptional achievements and his commitment to 
excellence. P.T. has been an outstanding ambassador for US-VISIT. I 
commend P.T. for his service to the United States and I offer him best 
wishes in all of his future endeavors.

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