[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4256]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

 Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
contributions of Business Executives for National Security, BENS.
  Since 1982, this national organization has been a primary channel 
through which American business leaders have contributed their special 
experience and talent to help build a more secure nation. Founded by 
business tycoon Stanley A. Weiss, BENS operates on the principle that 
America's national security is everybody's business. BENS is a highly 
respected nonpartisan organization of senior executives and 
entrepreneurs dedicated to enhancing our national security by 
implementing proven practices of the private sector.
  Working with Congress and the Department of Defense, BENS helps 
protect the American homeland and build a more efficient and effective 
military. As the United States continues to confront domestic and 
international threats, BENS proves more important than ever before.
  BENS has provided distinguished service to the Nation for over a 
quarter century. This service includes reforming the business of 
defense, protecting the homeland, tracking terrorist funding, and 
banning chemical weapons. BENS helps our Armed Forces by slashing 
bureaucracy, streamlining operations, and cutting waste, making more 
funds available for urgent priorities such as military readiness and 
modernization.
  BENS is a pioneer in homeland security creating innovative 
partnerships around the country that civic-minded companies that 
provide assistance to local and State governments in times of 
emergency. BENS works with the Department of the Treasury to improve 
America's ability to locate and suspend suspicious financial activities 
that fund terrorism.
  BENS is a strong advocate of the Chemical Weapons Convention to 
eliminate the chemical weapons stockpile by 2012, reducing the chances 
such weapons will be used against the United States through a terrorist 
attack.
  Mr. President, I ask my distinguished colleagues in the Senate to 
join me in recognizing BENS and their commitment to national security 
interests.

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