[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 46 (Monday, November 16, 1998)]
[Page 2300]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Retirement of Lewis Merletti as Director of the United 
States Secret Service

November 12, 1998

    Lewis Merletti has done an outstanding job as Director of the United 
States Secret Service, and I am accepting his retirement with the 
deepest regret. I have great admiration for Lew and for what he has 
accomplished in service to our country.
    From Lew's service in the United States Army with the Special Forces 
to his Secret Service assignments in Philadelphia, New York, and 
Washington, DC, and finally as Director, he has distinguished himself at 
every level.
    I would like to thank Lew's wife, Patty, and their sons, Mike, Matt, 
and Chris, for accepting the pressures and difficulties that arise from 
being a part of the Secret Service family. Like many Secret Service 
families, they endured a number of moves from one city to another. Their 
move to Cleveland and the Cleveland Browns organization will be one more 
challenge in Lew's accomplished career, one that he will undoubtedly 
meet with enthusiasm and great success. I also hope it will give Lew and 
Patty more time to spend with their children in the coming years.
    On behalf of Hillary, Chelsea, the Vice President and his family, 
the former Presidents and their families--indeed on behalf of everyone 
who has felt the reassurance of being in the care of Lew Merletti and 
the Secret Service agents he led--I want to thank this distinguished 
Director for his remarkable devotion to duty and country. I will miss 
him very much.
    The U.S. Secret Service is a critical law enforcement agency. It 
provides a secure environment for the President, the Vice President, and 
their families, former Presidents and visiting heads of state while also 
playing a vital role in protecting our Nation from terrorism, 
counterfeiting, and other financial crimes.