WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced a joint resolution today that would designate July 26 as United States Intelligence Professionals Day to honor intelligence officers, past and present, for their service and professionalism. July 26, 2012 will mark 65 years since President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, which created the intelligence community and governs its activities to this day. The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Richard Burr (R-NC), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Mark Udall (D-CO).

“Our country relies on the quiet work of the intelligence community every day to keep us safe, and these men and women – many of them Virginians -- deserve our respect and appreciation for their service and sacrifice,” Senator Warner said. “We rely on the abilities of these intelligence professionals and it is appropriate that we honor their work and acknowledge their silent victories.”

“Intelligence professionals serve our country in anonymity knowing that most of the work they do to protect our freedom will never be made public,” Senator Mikulski said. “They are unsung heroes who risk their lives and even give their lives fighting terrorists and those who wish to do this country harm. This bill honors America’s intelligence professionals with their own national day of recognition. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I am proud and honored to support the brave men and women of the intelligence community.”

The text of the resolution introduced by the bipartisan group of nine senators follows: