James Commits OPM's Cooperation and Expertise to Ensure Swift Creation of Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC – Kay Coles James, the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), today, commented on President Bush’s announcement calling for a new Department of Homeland Security.

James stated, "I fully embrace the President’s call for a single, unified homeland security structure that will improve protection against today’s threats and be flexible enough to help meet the unknown threats of the future. Here at OPM, we are already developing plans to support the President’s vision so that action by Congress will be quickly followed by implementation. I am making it a top priority to ensure that the new Department’s human resource requirements are supported by the full scope of OPM assistance in realigning personnel, addressing compensation, staffing and retirement issues, and assuring the complete integrity of the workforce for this new Department."

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.