U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky Chair of the Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released the following statement today in response to news reports that Blackwater Worldwide is changing its name to Xe, pronounced "Z." Blackwater also renamed the Blackwater Lodge & Training Center to the U.S. Training Center Inc.
"This is the second time Blackwater has tried to change its image by rebranding itself. No matter what it calls itself, Blackwater can't change the fact that its lethal actions have resulted in the deaths of innocent Iraqi civilians. The company's reckless actions have also put our troops in harms way and jeopardized our mission in Iraq. I'm glad that the State Department under Secretary of State Clinton has decided not to renew Blackwater's contract in Iraq. Blackwater's notorious reputation will outlast its name."