FBI
DIRECTOR ROBERT MUELLER MEETS WITH FAMILIES OF 9/11
VICTIMS
FBI
Director Robert S. Mueller, III, met today at FBI
Headquarters with representatives of several groups
representing the families of individuals killed
in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The
group also met with Mary Galligan, the Assistant
Inspector in charge of the September 11, 2001 investigation,
known as "PENTTBOM," with Assistant U.S.
Attorneys David Novak and Robert Spencer, and with
Kathryn Turman, head of the FBI's Office of Victim
Assistance.
The
meeting allowed Director Mueller to personally answer
questions and address the victims' families' concerns,
and to help them understand the FBI's ongoing role
in preventing and investigating acts of terrorism.
The group also received updates on the PENTTBOM
investigation and heard about changes the FBI has
made since September 11, 2001 to help prevent future
acts of terrorism.
"The
families of those killed on September 11 are very
important to the men and women of the FBI, and I
welcome the opportunity to meet personally with
some of them today," said Director Mueller.
"The pain and loss caused by the terrorist
attacks of September 11, goes far beyond the victims
themselves, or their loved ones, friends, colleagues,
and the countless individuals whose lives they touched
- their loss affects us all."
Director
Mueller also took the opportunity to describe the
FBI's victim services. Since the September 11 attacks,
the FBI has deployed more than 40 Agents and Victim
Specialists to assist at various family assistance
centers, and provided emergency travel assistance
to hundreds of family members. The FBI created a
new Office for Victim Assistance in the FBI, elevated
the program within the organizational structure,
and recruited a senior level specialist with extensive
experience working with terrorism victims to run
the office. The FBI also sought and received funding
to hire 112 full-time Victim Specialists, who are
in FBI offices across the country and at Headquarters.
These Victim Specialists have assisted with the
return of victims' personal effects and continue
to do so.
The
Director asked family members for their suggestions
to assist the FBI's efforts to continuously improve
its services to victims. The Director found their
insights and suggestions very helpful and looks
forward to a continued dialogue.
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