19 January 2001

Kelly leaving U.S. Customs today

The following article is excerpted from "The Journal of Commerce" on-line edition of 19 January 2001.

In a surprise announcement, [U.S.] Customs Commissioner Raymond Kelly said this morning that he will leave the agency effective today.

Deputy Commissioner Charles Winwood will take over as acting commissioner until the Bush administration nominates a new commissioner.

The sudden departure was unexpected, since recent published reports said that the Bush transition team was considering keeping Kelly at his post.

In a farewell message, Kelly said that he was not able to announce his departure earlier because of "late discussions over a number of positions in the new administration to be filled by incumbents."

He cited increased professionalism of Customs employees, the new training program, congressional approval of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and increased public confidence in the agency as milestones of his two-year tenure.

... Kelly did not indicate any immediate plans. He also said that under Winwood's administration the agency would continue progress with discussions with the trade about entry revision, and funding to shore up its COBRA fund that pays overtime for Customs employees.