July 30 was National Whistleblower Day and whistleblowers, advocates and government officials gathered on Capitol Hill to celebrate. The National Whistleblower Day event (available to rewatch on C-SPAN) highlighted the contributions and sacrifices of whistleblowers and underscored the importance of continuing the deep American tradition of supporting whistleblowers.
During his speech, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), touched on this tradition of whistleblowing:
“Dating back to the Revolutionary War, as I just told you, the first whistleblowers reported fraud and misconduct,” Senator Grassley said. “Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. As I stand here today in July 2024 – a long way’s away from the Revolutionary War – the same sentiment remains and must remain.”
Siri Turner, Executive Director of National Whistleblower Center, began the event by speaking to the importance of such a wide range of government agencies and civil society organizations coming together to celebrate whistleblowers.
“Our solidarity with whistleblowers and with each other is the powerful ode to our shared reverence for the sacrifices that whistleblowers go through and our shared commitment to fight against corruption and wrongdoing everywhere,” said Turner.
Throughout the event, moderators FBI whistleblower Jane Turner and Army Corps of Engineers whistleblower Toni Savage took time to recognize each of the dozens of whistleblowers in attendance at the event, explaining what they blew the whistle on and thanking them for their bravery.
Notable whistleblowers, including Boeing whistleblower Ed Pierson, law enforcement whistleblower Austin Handle and ExxonMobil whistleblower Lindsey Gulden also delivered remarks, speaking about the challenges of their whistleblower journeys and the importance of support by family and friends, whistleblower attorneys, whistleblower organizations and government agencies.
Other highlights include:
- Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger gave an address in which he called for the permanent recognition of National Whistleblower Day.
- Leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn explained the history behind National Whistleblower Day: on July 30, 1778 the Continental Congress passed the nation’s first whistleblower law in response to the whistleblowing of 10 marines and sailors in the Revolutionary War
- Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) gave an impassioned speech about his commitment to advocating for whistleblower protections in Congress. “As long as I am in public service, I want you to know that at the top of my list is going to be giving whistleblowers the tools to protect the American people
- Big tobacco whistleblower Dr. Jeffery Wigand (portrayed by Russell Crowe in the 1999 film The Insider) gave a rare public speech. Prior to the event National Whistleblower Center honored Dr. Wigand with its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award
- CFTC Whistleblower Office Director Bryan Young, IRS Whistleblower Office Director John Hinman and Director of the Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds Shanna Devine all gave speeches in which they highlighted the work their agencies are undertaking to support whistleblowers and thanked whistleblowers for their contributions
To watch the full National Whistleblower Day event visit: Lawmakers & Federal Officials Commemorate Nat’l Whistleblower Day | C-SPAN.org
