A BIPARTISAN TRIBUTE TO THE CIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00806R000100470006-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 2010
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: November 21, 1985
• Content Type: LETTER

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THE HALE FOUNDATION'
QUITE 208
122 FTRST STREET. S E
WASH1NGTf~N, D C 20003
(102) 5~6-2297
November 21, 1985
During floor debate in the U.S. Senate on November 7,
1985, Senator David F. Durenberger (R-hIIJ) Chairman of the
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Ernest F.
Hollings (D-S.C.), a meTrber of the Appropriations Committee,
among others, had highly complimentary things to say about
the Central Intelligence Agency and the dedicated men and
women who serve the P.gency. At this time, particularly,
with conflicting media reports on the quality of the work of
the CIA, these bipartisan remarks help put the matter of
CIA's reputation and its employees in better perspective.
The Hale Foundation, believing in a strong U.S. intelligence
capability, reprints these remarks as a reminder of the true
nature of the work of the CIA, and especially its overseas
officers, and the valuable contribution made by them to our
nation's survival:
Senator Durenberger. "As you are aware, the CIA has
come under a great deal of public and congressional scrutiny
in the past decade and certainly in the past week. Unfortunately,
what you are not seeing or hearing are the thousands of actions
they are doing right on a daily basis. In particular, we are
consistently demanding that our intelligence officers abroad
provide more and more information on hostile intentions,
especially those of terrorists.
't'his involves risk. More and more of our CIA field personnel
are being subjected to threats and abuse. Two years ago we
witnessed an example of this when a number of them were killed
by a terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. And as
their assignment became more hazardous and demanding, the
special mental and physical requirements necessary of the
intelligence officer increase dramatically.
"I'o meet this standard the CIA must continually replace its
officers overseas with younger. personnel whose identities are not
known and who can star_c~ up to the stresses of their environment.
"Our intelligence officers face hazards unknown to other
overseas or law enforcement personnel. ?'hPy and their families
must lead their lives undercover, never telling friends and
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acquaintances of their true mission and responsibilities. In
a world filled with terrorism, their very safety and lives are
at stake if their cover is revealed. Most of these officers
also work two jobs -- their cover employment and their agency
duties. And, finally, the nature of this work is very exacting,
dangerous, and difficult. In short, it is unlike any other work
in government.
"...there is a great need for a strong and effective human
intelligence service in today's international environment. My
service on the Select Committee on Intelligence has made me
well aware of how much we depend on the fine men and women of
our intelligence community. Their responsibilities are unique
and their contribution is unparalleled.
Mr. Hollings. "The men and women who serve in the Central
Intelligence Agency are some of the finest we have in public
service. They are first class in terms of experience, expertise,
and special skills. Their responsibilities are difficult, unique,
and often life-threatening. And, their successes are never
publicly acknowledged. They are truly the front line of a
"silent war" against terrorism, subversion, and attacks upon
the-United States and its allies.
"....our overseas intelligence officers face hazards unknown
to the Foreign Service or law enforcement personnel. They and
their families must lead their lives undercover, never revealing
their true mission to friends or acquaintances. If their cover
is ever revealed, their very safety and lives are at risk. At
this moment there is a memorial at Langley for over 70 intelligence
officers who have given their lives in service to this country.
More names will be added as a result of the Embassy bombing in
Beirut and other recent acts of terrorism. And, finally, most
of these officers work two jobs -- their cover employment and
their agency duties.
~In short, the work of an intelligence officer is very
exacting, difficult, and dangerous. It is unlike any other work
in government. Yet the Government cannot offer top salaries to
this talented and highly skilled group of professionals. Instead,
we have to largely rely on their sense of duty, loyalty, and
idealism."
~ Lawr~nc? 8. Sulc
Pr~sld~nt
THE F.AL.E FOUNDATION
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