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Opening Statement of Chairman Tom Carper: Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors Nominations Hearing(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The office of Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., issued the following opening statement before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: "Today, we meet to consider three nominations: Sarah Saldana, to be Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security; Russell Deyo to be Under Secretary for Management at the Department of Homeland Security; and Mickey Barnett to be a Governor at the United States Postal Service. "I know my colleagues and I on the Committee are very pleased to see the President put forth nominees to fill these critical leadership vacancies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or "ICE" is a vital law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security and has been without a presidentially appointed leader for 14 months. That is far too long - particularly when we think about all the issues we face along our borders and the more than 400 laws ICE enforces. Thankfully, Mrs. Saldana has agreed to step up to the challenge. Mrs. Saldana has a distinguished record as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, where she represents the U.S. government in 100 counties. In this role, she has a front row seat to the threats this country faces every day from transnational criminal networks--something that will serve her well at ICE. "Mrs. Saldana is a true American success story, rising from humble beginnings in South Texas as the youngest of seven children to become an accomplished partner at a major law firm and one of the nation's top law enforcement officers. She comes to this Committee highly recommended, including by our good friend Senator Cornyn. But as the Senator from Texas and this Committee know all too well, Mrs. Saldana has been nominated to one of the most difficult positions in government. That is why it's important to have a proven leader and respected member of the law enforcement community at the helm. Mrs. Saldana, you will have a tough job ahead of you if confirmed, but I believe that you are up to the task and look forward to supporting your nomination. "Our Committee also considers today the nomination of Russell Deyo to be Under Secretary for Management at the Department of Homeland Security. This is an extremely important position, given the challenges associated with melding twenty-two different agencies together into one cohesive department. The Department has made significant progress in addressing these challenges. In order for that progress to continue, we need strong leadership. I believe Mr. Deyo will provide precisely that kind of leadership. Until his retirement in 2012, Mr. Deyo had an impressive 27-year career with Johnson & Johnson, where he served in several top positions, including General Counsel and Vice President for Administration. Like the Department of Homeland Security, Johnson & Johnson is a large organization with multiple divisions that have distinct, yet related, missions. Mr. Deyo's perspective from the private sector will be an invaluable asset to Secretary Johnson. Particularly, as he works toward the "Unity of Effort" that will make the Department greater than the sum of its parts. Mr. Deyo, I think the Department and the American people are very fortunate that you are willing to take on this assignment. "We are also fortunate to have with us Mickey Barnett, who has been re-nominated by the President to serve on the Postal Service's Board of Governors. Mr. Barnett currently serves as Chairman of the Board, a position he has held for the past two years. If confirmed, he would embark on a third term with the Board, where he has been a Governor since 2006. Mr. Barnett's nomination comes at very challenging time for the Postal Service. The Postal Service operates at the center of a massive printing, delivery, and logistics industry that employs millions of people. In recent years, however, the organization has been faced with a decrease in first class mail volumes, and by extension, revenues. The Postal Service today carries barely enough cash to make payroll. We all want a Postal Service that our constituents and businesses can rely on, one that has a chance of continuing the remarkable progress we've seen it make in package delivery and takes full advantage of other opportunities that lie ahead. "Our committee has sent a bill to the full Senate that would save the Postal Service billions of dollars in pension and health care costs. I believe our bill is a solid, comprehensive, and realistic response to a real crisis. I look forward to debating it, discussing amendments to it and acting on it during the upcoming lame duck. Congress holds the keys to the Postal Service's future, but the Board of Governors serve a vital role in setting the direction and policies of this large organization. The Senate must move quickly to confirm all of the nominees to the Board, including the four who have already been considered and approved by this Committee. I look forward to talking to Mr. Barnett today about what he thinks needs to be done to address the challenges facing the Postal Service, and the skills he thinks he brings to the table. "To conclude, I would like to thank all of our nominees for being here today and their willingness to serve our nation. I would also like to thank their families for sharing them with us and our country." 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