To:   ALAUX
Frm:  CHDIRAUX
Subj: 216th Anniversary of the United States Coast Guard - 024/06


1.   FYI:

Message to:     All DHS Employees
From:           Michael Chertoff /s/
Subject:        216th Anniversary of the United States Coast Guard

Since August 4, 1790, the Coast Guard has stood vigilant watch over
America's shores.  The noble deeds of this country's oldest seagoing service
have, for 216 years, served a most noble cause.

This was readily apparent over the last year as the Coast Guard, with its
core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty, contributed
significantly to the safety and security of our Nation.  In the last year,
the Coast Guard removed an all-time maritime record 338,000 pounds of
cocaine and over 9,076 pounds of marijuana, interdicted 9,500 undocumented
migrants attempting to enter the country illegally by sea, conducted more
than 268,000 port security patrols and more than 25,000 security boardings,
and saved the lives of nearly 6,000 mariners in distress.  In the wake of
hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Coast Guard embodied the charge of its
motto Semper Paratus -- Always Prepared -- by helping to save the lives of
over 33,000 hurricane victims in what was the largest search and rescue
mission in U.S. history.

Coast Guard personnel have demonstrated superior mission execution across
the full spectrum of operations and they continue to showcase the qualities
that make them the world's best coast guard.  In doing so they have
reinforced our country's confidence in the Department of Homeland Security.

I am proud and humbled to serve as their service secretary and pleased to
extend my best wishes to Admiral Thad Allen and to all the men and women in
the Coast Guard on this, their service's 216th birthday.

Thanks to the Coast Guard for being Semper Paratus and for their unwavering
dedication to duty, tremendous sacrifices, and untiring service to America.

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3.     Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

4.     G-PCX, sends.