WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate’s Select Committee on Intelligence, today honored two Central Intelligence Agency veterans who played key roles in the 1994 arrest and espionage conviction of CIA spy Aldrich Ames on charges of spying for the Russians. Jeanne Vertefeuille of McLean, VA served at the CIA for more than 40 years and died on Dec. 29, 2012. CIA colleague and friend Sandy Grimes of Great Falls, VA, who also worked on the Ames task force, served as a caregiver during the final months of her life. 

Sen. Warner highlighted the service of Vertefeuille and Grimes as part of his regular series of  “Great Federal Employees” floor speeches this afternoon. Virginia has a high concentration of federal employees and is home to many of the nation’s intelligence agencies.

“Jeanne Vertefeuille and Sandy Grimes blazed a trail for women in the national clandestine service,” Sen. Warner said. “It was through their efforts, and the good work of many others, that we ultimately unmasked the notorious traitor Aldrich Ames in 1994. One cannot help but be inspired by the true-life story of service, patriotism, and friendship demonstrated by these two great federal employees.”

Sen. Warner also announced today that he will re-introduce bipartisan legislation to designate July 26th as United States Intelligence Professionals Day to honor intelligence officers, past and present, for their service and professionalism. Legislation to establish Intelligence Professionals Day was co-sponsored in the last Congress by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and 13 others. 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to reintroduce a resolution establishing Intelligence Professionals Day in the new Congress,” Sen. Warner said. “We should bring respectful attention to quiet professionals like Jeanne Vertefeuille and Sandy Grimes who keep our nation safe every day, without any thought of recognition.”

Sen. Warner delivered the speech as part of his Great Federal Employees initiative to honor the work of extraordinary federal workers. Former Delaware Sen. Ted Kaufman started the practice in 2009 and highlighted 100 employees during his time in the Senate. Sen. Warner serves on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.