WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) presented leaders of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), including Maine native Special Agent Mary Jones, with a signed copy of a statement he submitted to the Congressional Record recognizing NCIS for fifty years of exemplary service to the country. In his statement, Senator King honors NCIS for its tireless work and steadfast commitment to maintaining the safety of United States Naval personnel.

“I ask the Senate to join me in honoring the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, as it celebrates 50 years of service in support of the Department of the Navy, its military and civilian personnel, their families, and the communities in which they live.” Senator King said in his statement for the Congressional Record. “I would like to congratulate NCIS on 50 years of success as a premier Federal law enforcement agency. We owe them a debt of gratitude for the elite work they perform in service to our nation, and I wish them continued success for years to come.”

In addition to Special Agent Jones, who has ties to the Augusta and Norway areas, the group that Senator King presented the Congressional Record statement to included the NCIS Director, Special Agent Andrew Traver, the Deputy Director, Special Agent Mark Ridley, Senior Intelligence Officer Ricardo Karakadze, and Special Agent Paul O’Donnell.

Senator King submitted this statement to the Congressional Record in late February. The complete statement is as follows:

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CELEBRATING THE 50^th ANNIVERSARY OF NCIS

     Mr. KING:  Mr. President, today I ask the Senate to join me in honoring the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, as it celebrates 50 years of service in support of the Department of the Navy, its military and civilian personnel, their families, and the communities in which they live. I am proud to add my voice to those who applaud the consistent and effectual work of this elite organization.

     NCIS has deep roots in our military history, dating back to 1882, when Secretary of the Navy William H. Hunt established the Office of Naval Intelligence, or ONI, to collect technical information on the world’s major naval powers.  Since that time, as the United States’ role in the world evolved, and the need for an elite and specialized investigative branch of ONI became apparent.  The Naval Investigative Service, now called NCIS, was born, and has fulfilled a vital role in mitigating threats and protecting our nation.

     Since then, NCIS has played a vital role in investigating and defeating threats to safety of our Navy and Marine Corps.  The organization has grown to employ approximately 2,000 elite personnel, and deploy to more than 150 locations around the globe.   As such, the organization’s broad, yet agile scope has enabled it to ensure the safety of our brave men and women, wherever they are stationed.  Their missions have had such broad scope as deployment of Special Agents to Vietnam, response to the USS Cole and the September 11 terror attacks, and establishment of the Multiple Threat Alert Center for the Department of the Navy.  NCIS has executed their duties with distinction and poise under the most strenuous circumstances.

     I would like to congratulate NCIS on 50 years of success as a premier Federal law enforcement agency.  We owe them a debt of gratitude for the elite work they perform in service to our nation, and I wish them continued success for years to come.

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Photo 1: Senator King recognizes 50 years of NCIS service and support by thanking members of NCIS leadership, including Maine native Special Agent Mary Jones.

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