[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3571]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DANIEL L. MIHALKO

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, public service is a long and honored 
tradition in the United States. Through the dedicated commitment and 
tireless service of our Nation's Federal workforce, our country is 
safer and more secure than ever. I wish to take this opportunity to 
honor one such person, Daniel L. Mihalko, who since January 28, 1978, 
has served as a postal inspector in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. 
After serving as a postal inspector for the past 26 years of his 31-
year career with the Postal Service, Inspector Mihalko retired on March 
2, 2004.
  Inspector Mihalko was known to many in congress as their contact with 
the Postal Inspection Service in his capacity as the inspector in 
charge of congressional and public affairs. He was also known to the 
American public as the face of the Inspection Service when discussing 
issues such as the anthrax attacks through the U.S. mail in 2001 or 
pipe bombs in midwestern mailboxes. He professionally represented the 
Inspection Service in television appearances ranging from shows such as 
``60 Minutes'' and ``Larry King Live'' to all the major television 
networks.
  In addition to Inspector Mihalko's service as spokesman for the 
Postal Inspection Service, he was the guiding force behind several 
high-profile publicity campaigns: Project kNOw Fraud, National Fraud 
Against Seniors, and Awareness and Operation: Identity Crisis--
important educational programs directed at increasing consumer 
awareness of mail fraud and deceptive mailing practices. His official 
appearances added to public confidence in the mail, and it is fitting 
that upon Inspector Mihalko's retirement from the Postal Inspection 
Service, we take a moment to recognize the Federal agency he promoted 
so well.
  The United States Postal Inspection Service protects the integrity of 
our Nation's postal system and is one of the country's oldest law 
enforcement agencies. Founded in 1772 by the first Postmaster General, 
Benjamin Franklin, the Postal Inspection Service is the primary law 
enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service. Initially the Inspection 
Service helped regulate and audit postal functions, but in 1830, these 
functions were expanded and its auditors became special agents. By the 
late 1800s, special agents were renamed postal inspectors, and, in 
1916, solved the last known stage-coach robbery in the United States. 
The modern Postal Inspection Service enforces more than 200 Federal 
laws relating to the U.S. mail, including identify fraud, mail bombs, 
child pornography, controlled substances, counterfeit stamps, money 
laundering, robbery, and mail theft. Because of overlapping 
jurisdictions, postal inspectors work closely with U.S. Attorneys, 
other law enforcement agencies, and local prosecutors to investigate 
postal cases and prepare them for court. Inspectors are aided in their 
work through five regional forensic crime labs strategically located 
throughout the United States which support field office operations.
  As the former chairman of the Senate Postal Subcommittee, I have had 
the privilege of supporting this distinguished Department and have had 
to postal inspectors/attorneys as detailees on my staff. Inspector 
Mihalko is a fine example of the men and women who make up the Postal 
Inspection Service, and I wish Mr. Mihalko and his family well.

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