[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 122 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con. Res.122
                                     Agreed to November 19, 1999        

                       One Hundred Sixth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
   the sixth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas the Mounted Guard was assigned to the Immigration Service under 
  the Department of Commerce and Labor from 1904 to 1924;

Whereas the founding members of this Mounted Guard included Texas 
  Rangers, sheriffs, and deputized cowboys who patrolled the Texas 
  frontier looking for smugglers, rustlers, and people illegally 
  entering the United States;

Whereas following the Department of Labor Appropriation Act of May 28, 
  1924, the Border Patrol was established within the Bureau of 
  Immigration, with an initial force of 450 Patrol Inspectors, a yearly 
  budget of $1 million, and $1,300 yearly pay for each Patrol 
  Inspector, with each patrolman furnishing his own horse;

Whereas changes regarding illegal immigration and increases of 
  contraband alcohol traffic brought about the need for this young 
  patrol force to have formal training in border enforcement;

Whereas during the Border Patrol's 75-year history, Border Patrol 
  Agents have been deputized as United States Marshals on numerous 
  occasions;

Whereas the Border Patrol's highly trained and motivated personnel have 
  also assisted in controlling civil disturbances, performing National 
  security details, aided in foreign training and assessments, and 
  responded with security and humanitarian assistance in the aftermath 
  of numerous natural disasters;

Whereas the present force of over 8,000 agents, located in 146 stations 
  under 21 sectors, is responsible for protecting more than 8,000 miles 
  of international land and water boundaries;

Whereas, with the increase in drug-smuggling operations, the Border 
  Patrol has also been assigned additional interdiction duties, and is 
  the primary agency responsible for drug interdiction between ports-
  of-entry;

Whereas Border Patrol agents have a dual role of protecting the borders 
  and enforcing immigration laws in a fair and humane manner; and

Whereas the Border Patrol has a historic mission of firm commitment to 
  the enforcement of immigration laws, but also one fraught with 
  danger, as illustrated by the fact that 86 agents and pilots have 
  lost their lives in the line of duty--6 in 1998 alone: Now, 
  therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress recognizes the historical significance of the United 
States Border Patrol's founding and its 75 years of service to our 
great Nation.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.