[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 144 (Monday, October 12, 1998)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E2099-E2100] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF INSPECTORS GENERAL ______ speech of HON. RICK LAZIO of new york in the house of representatives Saturday, October 10, 1998 Mr. LAZIO of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the joint resolution, S.J. Res. 58, to recognize and praise the accomplishments of our Inspector Generals who strive every day to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government. I would specifically like to commend the accomplishments of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD Inspector General Susan Gaffney has worked with the Secretaries of HUD, the Congress, HUD managers and employees and the public to prevent and detect waste, fraud and abuse and bring about positive changes in the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of HUD operations. For many years, HUD has been highly criticized for its poor performance and mismanagement. In September 1992, Congress mandated that the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) conduct a comprehensive review of HUD. The final July 1994 NAPA Report found that HUD's overload of some 240 programs was draining HUD's resources, muddling its priorities, fragmenting HUD's workforce, and confusing communities. NAPA concluded that if HUD did not clarify and consolidate it's legislative mandate in an effective, accountable manner in five years (by 1999), Congress and the Administration should consider dismantling the Department. And there is more. In 1994, the GAO designated HUD a ``high-risk agency'' because of long-standing Department-wide mismanagement which have made HUD vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse. As a result, HUD has weak internal controls, poorly integrated information and financial systems, organizational problems and an insufficient mix of staff with proper skills. HUD Inspector Susan Gaffney, appointed to office in August 1993, has spent the last five years getting things done at HUD. Gaffney brings much experience and knowledge to the table. Susan Gaffney received a B.A. degree at Wilson College in 1965, earned an M.A. at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and studied in the Ph.D program in economics at Cornell University. In 1970, Ms. Gaffney began her experience with housing issues as a staff analyst in the Department of Housing Preservation and Development with the City of New York. She departed, in 1979, as Deputy Commissioner of that Agency to accept a position as Director of Policy, Plans and Programs, Office of Inspector General, Agency for International Development. She served in that capacity until 1982, when she was selected to serve as Assistant Inspector General with the General Services Administration (GSA). In 1987, Ms. Gaffney became Deputy Inspector General of GSA, where she assisted the Inspector General in directing all audit, investigatory and administrative functions. Appointed Acting Assistant Director of OMB's Financial Policy and Systems Branch, Management Integrity Branch, an the Cash and Credit Branch. She developed OMB's financial management strategy, and developed policy for implementation of the Chief Financial Offices Act. Her duties also included the formulation of revised policy and instructions for the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act, Federal credit programs, and cost principles governing Federal reimbursements. Beginning in 1991, Ms. Gaffney served as Chief of the Management Integrity Branch at OMB; and developed government-wide policy relating to the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act, OMB's High Risk List, and the Inspector General Act. She also directed government-wide implementation of organizational, personnel, and reporting requirements of the Chief Financial Officers Act. Her experience in directing audit and investigatory functions has allowed her to bring a level of professionalism to the Office of the HUD IG that demands commendation. Gaffney has spent the past five years at HUD supervising and coordinating audits and investigations of HUD's programs and operations. Furthermore, she recommends policies and coordinates activities geared to promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in HUD programs. Susan Gaffney has worked closely with former Secretary Henry Cisneros and Secretary Andrew Cuomo to help change HUD's high-risk status by monitoring management reform initiatives made by the Department. Ms Gaffney has also taken important strides to improve public housing with the Operation Safe Home program. The Operation Safe Home program is a collaboration by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to combat crime in public and assisted housing. Despite the dedicated efforts on the part of HUD and the IG, the Department still must make more progress. The HUD IG's Semiannual report to Congress recognized improvements in some aspects of HUD's performance, but noted that, ``progress is slow, and the Department's systemic weaknesses have not been directly addressed.'' In particular, Gaffney found that the HUD staff is incapable of managing the enormous number and wide-variety of programs run by the Department. In addition, the OIG found that various components of HUD are not equipped to provide reasonable stewardship over taxpayer funds expended for their programs. The GAO also concluded that while HUD deserves credit for its progress in addressing management deficiencies, the department is far from fixed. The GAO states that HUD programs will remain high-risk until two actions are completed. First, HUD must complete more of its planned corrective actions, principally those related to internal controls and information systems. And, secondly, the Administration and Congress must agree on HUD's mission, structure, and approach to programs. It is important to acknowledge that the work of the Inspector General is an on-going, vital process of maintaining smooth government operations and of preventing the waste and abuse that can occur in federal programs. The HUD IG must continue her work with the Department to improve all high-risk programs. [[Page E2100]] I encourage all Members of Congress to support this resolution. Lets praise and acknowledge the valiant efforts of all the Offices of Inspector Generals to facilitate our oversight duties and help us to improve the programs and operations of the Federal Government, ____________________