Click here to see a bipartisan and nonpartisan
range of BENS' Guests and Honorees in action
BENS has observed – accurately – that America is not going to have the kind of “efficient and agile” military we need for the 21st century without a support structure equally “efficient and agile” – two words not usually associated with the federal government in general and the Defense Department in particular. In areas like accounting, procurement, privatization, and excess base structure, BENS has identified problems and proposed solutions that have saved the taxpayers billions and made our military a more effective fighting force. And for that I thank you.
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Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
"The experts do not have all the answers. Washington does not have all the answers. We want and need ideas from the private sector and from citizens. And BENS is indispensable in that regard."
- Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
"I don't think there has ever been a time when BENS is more important ... We thank you for what you do for your country."
- Gen. Richard Myers (Ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
"The reason why you are in [BENS] is because you have a desire to help your country out, and I applaud you for that."
- Adm. Ed Giambastiani, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
"I am so appreciative to BENS for the stands that you are taking and the commitment of your members.... I am thankful that there are people like you who will teach guys like me how to spell 'return on investment.'"
- Adm. Vern Clark (Ret.), former Chief of Naval Operations
“Organizations like BENS are vitally important to us...every chance I get I talk to the business community."
- Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England
"[BENS] has been a source of constant encouragement, inspiration and excellent new ideas for the continuing implementation of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program."
- Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
"As Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have demonstrated, government cannot 'do' homeland security by itself. Private sector initiatives - such as BENS' Business Force initiative - accordingly offer the Department a valuable opportunity to leverage the private sector's vast resources and talents for the good of the nation."
- Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), House Homeland Security Committee Chairman
"...For many years I have believed that our business community, with its vast resources, must be available to assist our government in responding to disasters.... I appreciate the leadership that [BENS is] providing to businesses across the country which are involved in [this] important task.... ...The recommendations that you have developed are impressive."
- Former Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA)
"BENS is a very important organization. From its founding its been focused on keeping America safe and secure." "We appreciate your support."
- Former Army Secretary Francis Harvey
"The reservoir of talent and experience that [BENS] has...that you share with the administration, with Congress is very very important."
- Former Sen. Chuck Hagel, Nebraska
"It is my deep belief that corporate America can do so much more for America and to have [BENS] focusing on that issue is critically important."
- Jamie Gorelick, Member of the 9/11 Commission
"I agree that government alone cannot secure California … from terrorist attacks. We will continue to work with [BENS] to improve California's homeland security and response to natural disasters."
- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
"That's why [non-governmental organizations] ... like BENS are so critical, absolutely pivotal, to keeping the public mobilized."
- Steve Emerson, executive director, The Investigative Project
"I commend BENS for … your commitment to improving the safety of all Americans.Your efforts demonstrate that we will never forget those we lost and the many men and women who work so hard to fight for our freedoms at home and throughout the world.”
- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg
"BENS is not a think-tank, but a do-tank, an organization that gets things done."
- Fred Smith, chairman, president, and CEO, FedEx
"I very much appreciate ... the contributions you all make to national security."
- Rep. Mac Thornberry, Texas
"You have shown real leadership with the formation of the MidAmerica Business Force. I especially applaud your efforts on agroterrorism, a long time concern of mine.”
- Sen. Pat Roberts, Kansas
"[The Georgia Business Force] is a great public-private partnership where business has come forward to collaborate on the state and local levels to bolster emergency response capacity."
- Dr. Stuart Brown, Director of the Georgia Division of Public Health
"We have a mission, and never in my judgment has BENS been needed more than you are this evening in terms of helping us win this terrible fight against insurgencies around the world."
- Gen. Al Gray, former commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps
"BENS has always played a very important role in the intelligence community."
- Former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence John E. McLaughlin
"The BENS Georgia Business Force is a primary channel for applying the business community's expertise and resources to improve our state's security."
- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue
“[Your] report has helped to elevate the profile and understanding of the In-Q-Tel program across the Intelligence Community and provided positive impetus for the continuing evolution of the program.”
- Former CIA Director George Tenet referring to the BENS Independent Panel Assessing In-Q-Tel
"We often have respect for the organizations we work with. Sometimes we even enjoy working with them. But it's a real pleasure when we can both respect and enjoy working with them at the same time. That's the way I feel about BENS.
- Vice Admiral Joseph Dyer, USN, (Ret.)
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