[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 122 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 122

Recognizing the United States Border Patrol's 75 years of service since 
                             its founding.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 27, 1999

  Mr. Reyes submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the United States Border Patrol's 75 years of service since 
                             its founding.

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.
                                 <all>