News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2002 Contact:Edmund Byrnes (202) 606-2402 Statement from OPM Director, Kay Coles James, on the introduction of President George W. Bush's proposed legislation authorizing the formation of the Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC - Yesterday, President George W. Bush released draft legislation authorizing the formation of the Department of Homeland Security. This is a bold step toward increasing protection for all Americans along with the freedoms that distinguish this nation in the eyes of the world. Everyday, Federal employees demonstrate the capability needed to address the critical security issues facing our nation.

LEGISLATION:
As it pertains to personnel issues, this legislation provides the new Secretary the flexibility to draw from the best practices of the public and private sectors in order to develop a new personnel system. The process envisioned for the development of this system would include comments and expert advice from the public sector, unions, employee associations, managers' associations and the private sector. Specifically this legislation:

• Provides that when the Department is established, employees represented by unions will continue to be represented because their bargaining units will move with them.
  
• Assures there will be no change in employment status for any current personnel unless or until regulations changing the HR system are established;
• Enables the Department to retain the best aspects of the existing Governmentwide HR system, and allows changes for those which have become outdated;
• Enables the new Department to create a model HR program and become a strong recruiting and retention tool;
  

OPM ROLE:
The Office of Personnel Management will utilize all its resources to aid in the smooth transition for the Federal work force which will make up the Department of Homeland Security. We have a well-seasoned team, equipped with detailed knowledge of the affected agencies, that has already contributed significantly to the President's proposal. As we move forward, OPM will work hard to ensure that individuals and entire organizations, coming from a variety of different agencies, will find the resources available for a quick startup as soon as the enabling legislation is enacted.

CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS:
It is imperative that this Department is up and operating quickly and smoothly. Equally important, it is also imperative that all Federal employees involved in the transfers are kept well informed. Toward that end, we are continuing our dialogue with experts throughout the public and private sector.

On Monday, I met with representatives of 35 unions and associations to maintain open lines of communication and to establish OPM as a "Go-to" agency for answers to their questions and concerns. Today, my staff is in the process of briefing other federal employees, Congressional staff and the media. We will continue our outreach through fax, calls, conference calls and e-mails to all affected stakeholders and employee organizations.

The creation of this new Department poses great challenges and at the same time tremendous opportunities. I look forward to working with all interests in order to help achieve the bipartisan goal to establish the Department of Homeland Security.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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United States Office of Personnel Management Theodore Roosevelt Building 1900 E Street, NW, Room 5347 Washington, DC 20415-1400 Phone: (202) 606-2402 FAX: (202) 606-2264

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