---

Video Transcript

It is my privilege today to be here to pat tribute to you, our friends—our partners—for your efforts to improve our communities across the nation.

You’re catalysts for change in your communities and what you’re doing is nothing short of remarkable.

You are educating communities about crimes against children, human trafficking and cyber-bullying.

The FBI is helping us spread the message that bullying prevention is so crucial.

I’m Paula Goldberg. I’m executive director of PACER Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We are thrilled to be able to get the award. We were not aware that it even existed, and we’re certainly working in collaboration with the FBI. And we thank them for all of their help and everything that they do.

Every child in this country has to be safe in order to learn, in order to grow, in order to be the person that they need to be.

And we need parents and educators and all children in schools to help make this happen.

You are helping law enforcement fight financial crimes and teaching businesses about cyber-security. You are combating gang violence and radicalization. And you are making it possible for many young men and women to attend college.

Each of you receiving an award today is determined to create a safer world for our children.

My name is Hector Sealey. I am the president of the Alumni Association of Washington Field Office.

We are the funding entity of the community outreach program that they have.

And, um, we help fund the activities in support of five schools, citizens academy, CREST Programs, and similar venues.

As time went by we became more involved, more—now it’s more like a passion. It’s more of a passion for us and we see the passion in the FBI team. So together we make an incredible, robust partnership.

And through your work, you are building bridges between the FBI and the communities we serve. And in doing so you are helping us fight crime and terrorism. You are helping us to keep your communities safe.

I’m Kimberly Normand, principal of Columbus Global Academy, a sixth through 12th-grade school.

It is considered a newcomer center for any immigrants or newcomers to the United States that decide to live in Columbus, Ohio.

For many of these students, you know, law enforcement in their countries is not necessarily a trustworthy or positive entity.

One thing that the FBI is very outspoken about with my student is they want—we want you.

And I think for my kids to know that somebody believes that they have something valuable to give, and something that somebody else wants. And so the message really is: get your education. You’re already speaking one-two-three—you’re multi-lingual—we want you to come work for us. It’s huge for them coming from countries where, you know, they may not have felt wanted.

So, to have somebody say “We want you” is huge, and that “you have a future, get your education.” I think it’s tremendous.

Let me thank you for your vision, your commitment, and your leadership.

And above all, let me thank you for your partnership and your friendship.

It is a privilege for each of us to serve you and an honor to be serving others beside you.

Thank you and, again, congratulations to each one of you.