WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate has designated tomorrow, July 26, 2019 as “United States Intelligence Professionals Day,” following passage of a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), and every member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The text of the resolution, adopted today by unanimous consent, celebrates the courage, fidelity, sacrifice, and professionalism of the hardworking men and women of our nation’s intelligence agencies, just ahead of the 72^nd anniversary of the National Security Act of 1947 that laid the foundation for today’s intelligence community.  

“The courageous men and women of our intelligence community are one of the first lines of defense for our country,” said Vice Chairman Warner. “Because of the secret nature of their jobs, their sacrifice, loyalty, and hard work often go unheralded, even as they save American lives. They should have our respect and our tremendous gratitude not only today, but every day of the year.”

“As Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I’ve witnessed the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice the men and women of our intelligence community bring to their jobs each day,” said Chairman Burr. “I understand the magnitude of their work, which is done without public acknowledgment or credit, and what it means to America’s national security. Today and every day, these patriots deserve our recognition and gratitude for their service to keeping our nation safe.”

“Having served on the Senate Intelligence Committee since 2001, I am very familiar with the work of the men and women of our intelligence community. This work is often dangerous and is rarely able to be fully appreciated, but nonetheless it’s essential to keep our nation safe. Too many of their successes go unnoticed by the general public, so I’m proud to cosponsor this resolution thanking these dedicated women and men for their hard work and service,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

“As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee I see firsthand the incredible commitment that our nation’s intelligence professionals exhibit,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said. “The public often never learns of the accomplishments and sacrifices of the men and women of our intelligence community. Nevertheless, we are grateful for the important work that they do to serve our country, often in the shadows, and keep Americans and our allies safe. I am proud to join my colleagues in publicly honoring these dedicated patriots.”

“To ensure the safety of our country and our citizens, the hard working men and women serving in the intelligence community make countless sacrifices every day,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).  “I am continuously impressed by the high level of professionalism, patriotism, and courage that our intelligence professionals exhibit.  Our resolution will ensure that these Americans, who must operate in the shadows, receive well-deserved recognition for their public service.”

“Our nation's intelligence professionals are dedicated, patriotic men and women who make real sacrifices to help keep our country safe and free. I am proud to recognize them for their public service,” said Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

“We live in an increasingly complex and dangerous world, and the contributions made by our intelligence professionals play a critical part in our national security,” said Sen. Angus King (I-ME). “These men and women are our first line of defense, working diligently – and often in the shadows – to assess threats and gather information so policy makers can be fully informed as to the scope of the threats against the American people. Perhaps most importantly: these professionals are patriots, working not on behalf of an individual or a political party but for the safety of the American people. The dedication, skill, and patriotism demonstrated by intelligence professionals day in and day out provide peace of mind in complicated times.  For their efforts, they are owed our utmost respect and gratitude.”

“Intelligence professionals work tirelessly to ensure decision makers have all the facts they need to protect our nation,” said Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). “Today is a unique opportunity to recognize these heroes and show our gratitude for all they do to keep America safe.”

“Our intelligence professionals do essential work to help us understand the threats we face as a nation. Theirs can often be a thankless job, and today we recognize them for their service and patriotism,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).

“We owe the men and women who serve in our nation’s intelligence community a profound debt of gratitude,” said Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA). “So often, the work intelligence professionals do to keep our nation safe happens behind the scenes and involves individuals whose stories will never be told. I’m proud to join with my colleagues today to express our deepest thanks to these courageous Americans.”

“The men and women of our Intelligence Community serve with quiet courage and sacrifice, and without expectation of recognition or acknowledgement,” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO). “Today we honor their unwavering professionalism, commitment to mission, and spirit of service, and thank them for their tireless efforts to protect our country.”

“The patriots working in America’s intelligence community are on the front lines of national defense,” said Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE). “Their relentless professionalism and quiet strength protect our freedom every day. While their hard-fought victories are rarely disclosed, the American people are grateful for these men and women.”

The resolution was sponsored by every member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led by Vice Chairman Warner and Chairman Burr, and including Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), James Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Text of the resolution can be found here and below.

Designating July 26, 2019, as ‘‘United States Intelligence Professionals Day’’.

Whereas on July 26, 1908, Attorney General Charles Bonaparte ordered newly-hired Federal investigators to report to the Office of the Chief Examiner of the Department of Justice, which subsequently was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

Whereas on July 26, 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), creating the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thereby laying the foundation for today’s intelligence community;

Whereas the National Security Act of 1947, which appears in title 50, United States Code, governs the definition, composition, responsibilities, authorities, and oversight of the intelligence community of the United States;

Whereas the intelligence community is defined by section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003) to include the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, other offices within the Department of Defense for the collection of specialized national intelligence through reconnaissance programs, the intelligence elements of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Energy, the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State, the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of the Treasury, the elements of the Department of Homeland Security concerned with the analysis of intelligence information, and other elements as may be designated;

Whereas July 26, 2019, is the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.);

Whereas the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–458; 118 Stat. 3638) created the position of the Director of National Intelligence to serve as the head of the intelligence community and to ensure that national intelligence be timely, objective, independent of political considerations, and based upon all sources available;

Whereas Congress has previously passed joint resolutions, signed by the President, to designate Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, Patriot Day on September 11, and other commemorative occasions, to honor the sacrifices of law enforcement officers and of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001;

Whereas the United States has increasingly relied upon the men and women of the intelligence community to protect and defend the security of the United States in the years since the attacks of September 11, 2001;

Whereas the men and women of the intelligence community, both civilian and military, have been increasingly called upon to deploy to theaters of war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere since September 11, 2001;

Whereas numerous intelligence officers of the elements of the intelligence community have been injured or killed in the line of duty;

Whereas intelligence officers of the United States are routinely called upon to accept personal hardship and sacrifice in the furtherance of their mission to protect the United States, to undertake dangerous assignments in the defense of the interests of the United States, to collect reliable information within prescribed legal authorities upon which the leaders of the United States rely in life-and-death situations, and to ‘‘speak truth to power’’ by providing their best assessments to decision makers, regardless of political and policy considerations;

Whereas the men and women of the intelligence community have on numerous occasions succeeded in preventing attacks upon the United States and allies of the United States, saving numerous innocent lives; and

Whereas intelligence officers of the United States must of necessity often remain unknown and unrecognized for their substantial achievements and successes: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates July 26, 2019, as ‘‘United States Intelligence Professionals Day’’;

(2) acknowledges the courage, fidelity, sacrifice, and professionalism of the men and women of the intelligence community of the United States; and

(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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