Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas delivered the following remarks at DHS’s 2nd annual Human Capital Symposium and Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC. His remarks are below:
I am really honored to have the chance to speak with you for a few minutes, and I am also really disappointed that I am not doing so in person. I’m going to be on travel at the time you’re all gathering together for the symposium and awards ceremony.
We have an incredible workforce throughout our Department. Our personnel – across the country and around the world – are talented, selfless, hardworking, and dedicated to mission. I think we have the best workforce in the world.
The work we do is noble. We work to keep the American people safe and secure. In a world that is confronting so many different threats – terrorism, cyberattacks, natural disasters, transnational crime, to name a few – our work to make people feel safe and secure enables them to live the rich, full lives that is the privilege of a free people.
All of you help make this possible. Fundamentally, the quality of an organization is measured by the quality of its personnel. It is all about people. That is why the work you do is so important. By building our workforce, training us, supporting and caring for us, you provide the backbone of our daily lives and enable us to fulfill our mission.
I am proud of the work you perform. I am aware of the innovations you have implemented to make our systems and processes work better. I well know of the frontline role you have played during these most challenging past few years, as the COVID pandemic has so significantly impacted our work and how we do it. I support and commend your efforts and achievements in ensuring we have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, and that help realize our dedication to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I’m also mindful of the challenges that lie ahead, as the workplace continues to undergo significant change. This will impact every aspect of your work, of our work together – from workforce modeling to payroll processing, compensation and benefits, training and development, labor and employee relations, and so much more.
I hope you will seize the opportunity this symposium presents to grow personally and professionally, connect with one another, share best practices, and consider how we can innovate and lead.
You play such a vital role in the success of this Department. You work at its very foundation: the wellbeing of our people. I hope you have an enriching symposium. Thank you for everything you do.