If you remain standing, the resentation of the colors. Good morning. Welcome to the celebration of the career of robert mueller, there are far too many alumni and other dignitaries present for me to point out by name, but you have the opportunity to talk to old friends after this event at the reception in the attorney generals suite. There is one person with us today who am compelled to recognize. The brains, charm, charisma and class of the mohler family mueller family. His wife, ann. [applause] she is is better wife. [laughter] bob mueller has spent his entire career in Public Service, with only a brief interim since the 1960 one he was a decorated marine for his service in vietnam. He has served in three cities of the United States attorney into districts, as the assistant attorney general for the criminal division, the deck but he attorney general, and most recently the director of the fbi. As he departs justice for the last time, hopefully, he will have held every position save attorney general. One has to wonder whether this time he is really living leaving for good. In this same hall, and generate 1993, we thought we were rid of him for good. There is no sense in warning today about what might happen tomorrow. George tenet as the director of Central Intelligence from 19 97, to 2004 per the second longest serving director in agency history. That role, he had the opportunity to work with bob in the three years immediately following 9 11. [applause] good morning. It is a great honor for me to be here today to speak about a great public servant, and my friend, bob mueller. One of the important things to know about him is that he is and always will be a United States marine. Service to this country has been his life. On seven occasions, he has sworn to protect and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. What that has meant for him always is a devotion to duty. To the men and women he has served with, and led. To upholding the law, to speaking bluntly and directly, and as a Second Lieutenant in vietnam, to putting his life on the line. He won a bronze star and a purple heart. His bronze star citation and part read he moved fearlessly am a with complete disregard for his own safety, and personally led a fire team to recover and mortally wounded marine would fall in any position forward of friendly and liens of friendly alliance. He has never changed. His life has been defined by trust, discipline, and honor. Now, when i first met bob mueller and the summer of 2001, it was a bit daunting, like the clash of civilizations. The scene would be cast as a man from philly, princeton, high protestant, with a locked jaw, blue blazer, khaki pants, penny loafers, maybe a little old spice to boot. [laughter] first generation greek diner kid from queens, and would never play golf. Very soon after 9 11. A special relation was born that allowed organizations to work with a common spirit that has continued to grow to this day. A special lifelong friendship was born that allowed us to help each other in thousands of different and unspoken ways, the illustrated to all of our colleagues the importance of working together. It was easy because you could trust bob mueller with your life. You would want him back to back with you in the trench, whether facing al qaeda, or the cords inside the beltway who would routinely come out of the hills to survey the wounded. [laughter] everybody who i served knows what im talking about. [laughter] im going to tell the story about how much bob and i love testifying together. Mr. Attorney general, i know you love testifying. Bob had a unique way of doing this. The first way i testified with him, he sat there like a choir boy and never moved. I said, you have to where you have to promote. I have been trained as a prosecutor, im not allowed to show emotion. We would sit next to each other, and you know how you before testifying, witnesses cup their hands. Everyone thinks we are saying something profound to each other. Bob and i would be in the middle of a testimony, and i look up my hands and Say Something to him like, bob, is not the dumbest question ever heard in your life . Shut up. Here comes, bob. Swim, bobby, swim. Shut up. [laughter] are you really going to take that from this guy . Yes senator, i am not worthy. [laughter] this man entrance from the fbi and help keep our country safe. He has reached out to communities across the country, particularly those from other lands, to understand their problems, to build bridges, to inspire common values, and to shape their perception of Law Enforcement in a truly unique american context. If your son or daughter wanted to be a public servant, they need to look no further than bob mueller to learn how to do it honorably, with oldschool values, that will always end your endure. His love and affection for his family is obvious. For all these years of service, his ace in the hole has been his college sweetheart. Her devotion and sacrifice, her love and commitment to bob and their family has allowed us to enjoy the benefits of their joint service to our country. Your smile, your warmth, and your care for the men and women on the app the i the men and women of the fbi have been magnificent to behold, and as good as bob is, youre even better. Thank you on behalf of my family, and on behalf of Intelligence Officers for what you have done. For your friendship, and behalf of all of your friends. We desperately hope that you can finally find a job. [laughter] [applause] thank you. Over the past several months, a great number of people have asked me what bob land to do when the inevitable day came when he left the bureau. Until this day, i have reflected the question. I am now authorized to announce that bob has been offered and accepted his dream job, which will start shortly after labor day, a job he was born for, and has spent his life preparing for. Drill instructor at ferris island. [laughter] he is smiling for once. After a successful career in a number of positions at the fbi, john served as bobs righthand from 20042010. In 2010, the president appointed john as administrator of gsa, a position he holds to this day. John has agreed to field questions from frustrated travelers in the audience. [laughter] at the back of the hall, the conclusion of this event. [applause] the privileges and opportunities of being a tsa administrator. Thank you. Let me say a few words about bob. Some traits, if you will. The first thing that comes to mind for most of us is a leader. A man of character. Integrity. A distinguished and dedicated public servant. Humble, principled pragmatist, an innovator and motivator. A few words about those few words. Under director mueller, he directed and implemented what is arguably the most significant change in the fbis history. Some a debate what is been the most significant. I was suggest what has happened in the last full of years. We all remember the in my five debates, whether the fbi in that post 9 11 world could handle the traditional Law Enforcement responsibilities that it was known for, and also collect intelligence, and share that. It is because of george and his cooperation, collaboration with reports officers, which became the baseline for the director of intelligence, that allow the fbi to continue that transformation. In addition to all of the pundits and critics, we have the official inquiries, the wmd commissions, the Advisory Boards forming, his own directors advisory board, giving suggestions, advice, input, as to what the fbi needed to do. Then our experts, something new with a were talking about, and most of the others who are also giving their views to bob mueller. During this time, he adeptly and successfully navigated to all the different and competing views on who the fbi should be, and how they should carry out their mission. It is because of that they fbi today is able to serve a Vital National security mission. I mentioned he is humble. In spite of his significant compliments, a few you have heard this morning, many which are not known and probably will never be known because of this ability, he has never been one to seek out the limelight. He is quick to give others credits, and mentor others such as myself. I think, without our reporters, there is not a single reporter on bob muellers speed out. We could check that to make sure. That may give one example of all the traits that i have mentioned. One of his favorite agencies, the office of inspector general, gave a critical report of on the fbis use of National Security measures. Procedures and protocols, the things we are having today. Bob decided to hold a press conference at headquarters. The last 12 years, how many press conferences did he hold at headquarters . We have tables set up in a u shape. Reporters jammed in there because they saw possible blood in the water. The director and the Deputy Director were seated at the end. The notion must have everyone see it because that would keep everyone at ease. He says, you may ask who is responsible for this, and who is accountable. Without missing a beat, he turned to me and said the Deputy Director is. [laughter] that may be a slight variation of facts. Being the principal leader that he has, he says im responsible, and im going to fix this. That part about fixing, he was a motivator. That is when the motivator part of bob mueller came in, kicked in, and i do mean kicked in. We did get it fixed. As long as we are talking inside baseball, there is a phrase that is well known on the seventh floor at headquarters that has been uttered a few times in the last 12 years. Deputy handle, needing to know how to delegate. That is something that happens from time to time. I thank you for those lessons, bob. I have learned the benefits of doing that. A couple of brief points to wrap up. As bob and ann leave service, and you start traveling without your security, there are a couple of words you need to know that will be important to you. That is tsa precheck. Trust me on this. [laughter] finally, on behalf of all the men and women of the fbi wouldve had the privilege and honor of serving with mr. Director bob mueller these last 12 years, let me express a profound appreciation and gratitude for what you have done in guiding the bureau three tumultuous time, with integrity and distinction, and just to say thanks, is one of your Deputy Directors, for encouraging me and teaching me lessons in leadership, for which ive had the opportunity to use. Now, as you went as you go into the next chapter of your life, best wishes, and godspeed in all you do. [applause] thank you, john. I think that to brief anecdotes are eliminating about this attorney general, and director mueller. One day in the mid1990s, not long after he left the position of it Deputy Attorney general, he called me and advised the u. S. Attorney eric holder had offered him the position of senior litigation in the homicide unit of the u. S. Attorneys office in d. C. Bob wanted to take the job, but he recognize he been a political appointee of the immediately previous it ministration, and did not want to accept this position in the Career Service that would cause any discomfort. They asked me to run the traps. When i brought the question to the Deputy Attorney, she said with her customary subtlety intact, that is a nobrainer. Everyone knows that he is an outstanding prosecutor, and derek is fortunate to get him. When i asked why he wanted this job, lets say private practice, not a prestigious a title as assistant attorney general, he replied that he wanted to give Something Back to the community, and this was the best way he knew how to do a couple of years later, i was looking for an outstanding candidate to serve as interim United States attorney in San Francisco after a sudden vacancy. I was a deadend at a dead end. I advise eric holder of my failure. He said to call mueller. The rest is history. He did such a good job that president clinton appointed him to that position. In perilous times, when this department find the necessary to go to the mattresses, there is no one i would rather have at my side them bob mueller, except jim coming jim comey. [laughter] i admire him. I respect him. As much as i hate to admit it, i do love the guy. Bob, from one loss to another [indiscernible] give me a moment to collect my thoughts. Im not used to complementing the director. [laughter] one of the perks of spending almost a halfcentury in this department is the opportunity to watch a brawl, talented honor grad advance to a department leader. Jim is a perfect example. He handles his assignments and 70 attorney general, and the most challenging times, effectively, with grace, and never losing his marvelous inch marvelous sense of humor. The Deputy Attorney general of the United States. [applause] thank you. A lot of things are similar about bob today. He has touched so many people, in much of the same way. 30irst met him more than years ago. He was an asu in boston. I was a young lawyer andi come up to to help on a case. I met bob. He was one of the most seasoned prosecutors they had the office. When i met him, the words that came to mind were talented, smart, respected. As they looked at him, i realized when i grow up as a prosecutor, i want to be like bob. I want to be that kind of prosecutor. Several years later, he came to maine justice. At this time,i was the deputy chief of the Public Integrity section, and in the privilege of working with bob on frequent occasions. Member when dealing with i remember when dealing with him, particularly sensitive cases, the words that came to mind then were leadership and support. Bob would not only go out of his way to make sure you had everything you needed, and the resources you needed to be successful in a case, but there is on experiences, he would talk through with you the intricacies of the case. Inevitably, you end up with tremendous value of being added from those encounters. As we all know, we have heard several times today, bob left his position as the assistant attorney general for private practice for 20 minutes. He didnt extraordinary thing. He did an action ordinary thing. He did an extraordinary thing. He returned to the Apartment Department doing homicide cases. D. C. Was going through a rough time of increased murders at this time. Bob wanted to help. As i saw this, the words that came to mind were humility. Dedication and sacrifice. He sought Public Service that had to be done, and he did it. Without fanfare, without glory, without any reward. Wasust did it because it the right thing to do. Bobi was asked to go to San Francisco and take over to put it back in shape. He probably did not want to leave the scene, but he did it. D. C, but he did it. The words that came to mind were team player and leader. He restore that office, and to this day, they still talk about him as the best United States attorney theyve ever had. Since bob became the director of the fbi, i have both followed his work from afar, and had the privilege of working him for almost three years now as he is transformed this agency in the wake of 9 11 into the most effective counterterrorism and Law Enforcement agency on the face of the earth. Working with him every day, the words that come to mind are politically astute, why is, wise, dedicated to the rule of law. All necessary attributes you need to have to work your way through the vast array of unimaginable issues that confront us every day. So, here we are trying to sum up the career of a man who has had all these roles, and done that in an exemplary way. He has displayed the kind of character we all want to emulate. Who has given virtually his entire career to his country, and has done in a way that has served as an example to the world is what we stand for as a nation. When i put that together, the word that comes to mind best to describe bob is patriot. Bob, thank you, not only for what you have done for the department of justice, and for the nation, but thank you for all have gained from having had the privilege of getting to work with you over so many years. I wish you well, my friend. [applause] the only thing better than getting to work with bob mueller is getting the opportunity to work with bob mueller and eric holder. Both are Public Servants in the same mold. Getting it right, the rule of law, and ethics mean everything. This is the kind of department that the two of them together have established. It is my honor to present to you the attorney general of the United States. [applause] , thank you. Good morning. Thank you for those kind words. Thank you all for being here. It is an honor to be with you all this morning. A privilege to welcome bobs wife and their family. As anyone who knows bob can tell you, his passion for his work is exceeded only by his dedication to his family. It is great to have all of you here with us, including the little one who took a detour. Ournt to welcome distinguished guests, too numerous to mention. A former attorneys general, heads of the fbi, members of congress. We have the head of the cia. It is great to have yall here with us. The current officials here, i think is an indication of the esteem in which bob is held. I want to thank you all for taking the time to be here with us today. I like to think david for being an incomparable master of sir monies. Take i would like to st. David for being an incomparable master of ceremonies. He was supposed to give a sign to the color guard to start the event. [laughter] we always have to cover for him. [laughter] he is out of here. [laughter] normally, this is where i might say it is a pleasure to join you all for this important event. All this is a mama we i know this is a moment we all have been dreading for quite some time. The day we have to try and do our jobs without bob mueller. Nevertheless, i appreciate this chance to to stand with a distinguished group, celebrating his contribution of protecting our fellow citizens from crime, ensuring now so security, and transforming the fbi into the <