Messrs. Chairmen, members of the Committees, I a m pleased to appear before you today. Messrs. Chairman, I have been a Special Agent with the FBI for more than 15 years. Of these more than 15 years, approximately13 have been dedicated to the FBI’s Counterterrorism mission as a field agent, FBIHQ Supervisor, a Field Division Joint Terrorism Task Force Supervisor and as a FBIHQ Counterterrorism Unit Chief. It was in the capacity of Unit Chief that I was serving on that most tragic day for our nation, September 11, 2001, having returned to FBI Headquarters from the field about three months previously. It was my unit that handled the Zacarias Moussaoui matter and through which the “Phoenix E.C.” passed.

There is an ongoing Capital prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia against Zacarias Moussaoui, with Defendant’s jury schedule to be selected beginning in December, 2002. Because of this and as an employee of the Department of Justice, I am bound by Local Rule 57, which prohibits prejudicial pre-trial publicity to protect the Constitutional trial rights of Criminal defendants. For example, I am prohibited from discussing 1) the existence or contents of any statement given by the Defendant or failure of the Defendant to make a statement, 2) character and/or reputation of the Defendant, 3) identity, testimony or credibility of any prospective witness or witnesses and 4) any opinion as to the Defendant’s guilt or innocence or as to the merits of the case or evidence or anything else that would interfere with a fair trial. Therefore, I may be unable to answer some of your questions in an Open Session, but I am prepared to answer all of your questions in a Closed Session.

Within the course of these hearings, this Committee has heard of the frustrations of FBI field agents in their efforts to conduct their duties and responsibilities on behalf of the American people. Having served as a field agent and field supervisor, I know of their sense of frustration posed by rules and regulations, National Security law and the sense of being held in check by Washington.

As a FBI Headquarters Unit Supervisor and Unit Chief, I am also aware of FBI Headquarter’s role in supporting and coordinating terrorism investigations, and the necessity of Washington’s oversight to ensure compliance with existing policies and law. I have also witnessed first hand, a dedicated group of Counterterrorism professionals that have been routinely overwhelmed by large case loads and continual crisis management. They also confront the daily frustrations posed by limited resources, especially within our analytical ranks, and inadequate technology which hampers their ability to communicate within FBI Headquarters, with our 56 field divisions and 44 Legal Attaches around the world, as well as with other elements of the Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community. Since September 11, 2001, our Director has already made many changes within the FBI to address these systemic problems. These reforms must continue.

Messrs. Chairmen, throughout my career I have found all of the FBI’s Counterterrorism personnel–Agents, Analysts and other Professional Support to be a highly dedicated, highly competent group of professionals. They will continue to serve on the front lines of this war against international terrorists.

I am prepared to answer your questions.