[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 55 (Thursday, April 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2462-S2463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KEITH PREWITT

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise, once again, to continue the 
tradition started in the last Congress by my friend and colleague, the 
Senator from Delaware, Senator Kaufman, to recognize another great 
Federal employee.
  I think this particular recognition is critically important, since 
last week this Congress came to the brink, unfortunately, of shutting 
down the Federal Government, which would have had a dramatic effect 
upon literally 800,000 Federal employees, many of whom toil tirelessly, 
oftentimes in the proverbial vineyards, trying to serve the American 
people. It is my hope that later today the House, and we in the Senate, 
will pass what perhaps is an imperfect compromise--and every compromise 
is a bit imperfect--that will continue the operations of this Federal 
Government through the balance of the fiscal year. It is appropriate 
that today we continue this tradition, where we single out for 
recognition on the floor of this Senate one of the Federal employees 
who continues to provide service to Americans.
  The exemplary Federal worker I am referring to this week is Keith 
Prewitt, the Deputy Director and 27-year veteran of the U.S. Secret 
Service. Mr. Prewitt is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day 
operations of the Secret Service, including its 6,700 employees, with a 
budget of about $1.5 billion.
  Mr. Prewitt also oversees protection of the President and the Vice 
President of the United States, as well as visiting heads of State. He 
has an impressive resume that includes handling security during three 
Presidential campaigns, two White House details, and overseeing trips 
protecting American officials in more than 110 countries.
  Mr. Prewitt was first drawn to a life of public service when he was 
in high school in the 1960s in Memphis, TN. He met a local Memphis 
police officer who had encouraged him to obey the city curfew, stay 
safe and out of trouble. Mr. Prewitt said this police officer inspired 
him to enter public service. Coincidentally, he went on to become a

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Memphis police officer following his graduation from college.
  In 1983, the Secret Service recruited Mr. Prewitt to serve as a 
special agent in the Memphis field office. Over the years, he rose 
through the ranks of the Service. He has served both on the frontlines 
and in supervisory positions, which have led him to his leadership role 
today.
  Mr. Prewitt is regarded by his peers as one of the best in the field. 
He has been described as a man of high value and honor who views each 
day as a training day and is extremely dedicated to his work and loyal 
to the people who work with him.
  One of his peers at the National Association of Black Law Enforcement 
Officers stated that Mr. Prewitt ``identifies challenges for the 
organization and seeks to change the status quo to make things 
better.'' His tireless efforts to improve the performance of the Secret 
Service have made him a true asset to the agency, the President, the 
Vice President, and to our country.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring Keith Prewitt, a truly 
great civil servant, and all those in the U.S. Secret Service for their 
hard work and dedication to our Nation.
  It is also my hope that we can conclude the budget for the balance of 
this fiscal year so we can give Mr. Prewitt, countless other Federal 
employees, and literally millions of Americans who depend upon the 
ongoing workings of the Federal Government, the confidence and respect 
they need by passing the balance of the continuing resolution for this 
year before we break for the Passover-Easter recess.
  With that, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brown of Ohio). Without objection, it is 
so ordered.

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