M. Obama thanks Homeland Security workers

WASHINGTON, April 14 (UPI) -- Most work by the U.S. Homeland Security Department goes unnoticed by the public because of the sensitivity of the job, first lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday.

"If you do your jobs well, nobody will know what you do," because many of the 218,000 employees work away from the public's eye, Obama said. She said she visited the department responsible for protecting the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters to "ensure that you, as true public servants, don't get lost behind the numbers."

"You all stand watch every day over our borders, and our skies, our ports and our transportation systems; you dedicate yourselves to preventing, preparing for and responding to our disasters all over this nation; and you ensure that the nation's first responders are well-equipped and well-trained," she said, adding, "So ... my job here is simple: Thank you. Thank you for your service to our country."

When introducing Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said it was the first time in the department's six-year history that a first lady visited the headquarters.