Leading Business Group Honors Commissioner Robert Bonner
(Wednesday, March 03, 2004) Contacts for this press release1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Media Services
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Washington,DC. 20229 Fax: (202) 927-1393 CBP Headquarters
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WashingtonD.C. 20229 WASHINGTON - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner today received the Excellence in Government Award for 2004 from the Joint Industry Group (JIG), a coalition of prominent companies and professionals involved in global trade. Since the 9-11 attacks, Commissioner Bonner has led his agency in the development and implementation of several anti-terrorism programs that have an impact on global commerce. This process has been characterized by extraordinary cooperation between CBP and the private sector, especially groups like JIG. "Commissioner Bonner showed great foresight in recognizing the need to keep trade moving in the wake of the September 11 attacks," said Ronald Schoof, Chairman of the JIG. "His prompt actions in enlisting the trade community to help develop and implement programs averted a meltdown of the U.S.economy and, thus, a victory for our terrorist enemy."Said Commissioner Bonner: "It is always a thrill to have good work recognized, especially when recognition comes from people who are as knowledgeable about the effort as the Joint Industry Group is. But the truth is that hundreds of individuals, both at CBP and in the private sector, have played an important part in coming to terms with the terrorist threat to global trade. I accept this award and acknowledge my own gratitude for all those individuals who have contributed to our success." One of the new programs - the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism or C-TPAT - gained the support of the various industry segments in international trade by offering companies expedited Customs processing and fewer inspections if they would devise policies and programs to prevent their part of the supply chain from being infiltrated by terrorists. To date, over 5700 businesses have requested membership in C-TPAT. Of this number, about 2900 are certified members. Businesses involved in C-TPAT include importers, carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, consolidators,U.S. port authorities, marine terminal operators, and some foreign manufacturers. Another key program is the Container Security Initiative or CSI. CSI deploys CBP inspectors to large foreign ports. In conjunction with their foreign counterparts in host countries, CBP inspectors screen cargo destined for the before that cargo is loaded in sea containers. "Our goal is not only to bolster border security but to do so in a way that does no harm to the flow of commercial goods," said Commissioner Bonner. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies U.S. Customs, Immigration and Agriculture Inspectors and U.S. Border Patrol Agents.