[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 498 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 498

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          June 9, 2009.
Whereas in the early 20th century, control of the border was sporadic and 
        piecemeal, and included mounted guards, Texas Rangers, and military 
        troops;
Whereas Supervising Inspector Frank W. Berkshire wrote to the Commissioner-
        General of Immigration in 1918, ``If the services of men now being 
        drafted cannot be spared for this work, it may be that the various 
        departments vitally interested would give favorable consideration to the 
        formation of an independent organization, composed of men with out the 
        draft age. The assertion is ventured that such an organization, properly 
        equipped and trained, made up of seasoned men, would guard the border 
        more effectively against all forms of lawlessness than a body of 
        soldiers of several times the same number * * *'';
Whereas the prohibition of alcohol and numerical limits placed on immigration to 
        the United States by the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924 further 
        exposed our inability to control our borders;
Whereas in response to this urgent need the Labor Appropriations Act of 1924 
        officially established the U.S. Border Patrol with an initial force of 
        450 officers to help defend our borders;
Whereas over the past 85 years the border patrol has undergone enormous changes, 
        but their primary mission has remained the same, to detect and prevent 
        the illegal entry of persons into the United States;
Whereas since 1998, the Border Patrol has seized more than 15,567,100 pounds of 
        marijuana and more than 189,769 pounds of cocaine nationwide;
Whereas the border patrol is on the front line of the U.S. war on drugs, having 
        seized more than 14,241 pounds of cocaine and more than 1,800,000 pounds 
        of marijuana in fiscal year 2007;
Whereas in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001, the border patrol has 
        taken on a new mission as part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
        agency, with the priority mission of preventing terrorists and terrorist 
        weapons from entering the United States;
Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol today is our Nation's first line of defense 
        against many threats, patrolling 8,000 miles of international borders 
        with Mexico and Canada and the coastal waters around Florida and Puerto 
        Rico;
Whereas the mission of the agency says, ``We are the guardians of our Nation's 
        borders. We are America's fronting. We safeguard the American homeland 
        at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against 
        terrorists and the instrument of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws 
        of the United States while fostering our Nation's economic security 
        through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American 
        public with vigilance, integrity and professionalism.'';
Whereas the Border Patrol has adopted a clear strategic goal, to establish and 
        maintain operational control of the border of the United States;
Whereas this strategy consists of five main objectives, establishing substantial 
        probability of apprehending terrorists and their weapons as they attempt 
        to enter illegally between the ports of entry, deterring illegal entries 
        through improved enforcement, detecting, apprehending, and deterring 
        smugglers of humans, drugs, and other contraband, leveraging ``Smart 
        Border'' technology to multiply the effect of enforcement personnel, and 
        reducing crime in border communities and consequently improving quality 
        of life and economic vitality of targeted areas;
Whereas today over 18,800 agents risk their lives in pursuit of these 
        objectives;
Whereas the Border Patrol recognizes 104 official line of duty deaths in service 
        to their country;
Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol has spent past 85 years keeping this country safe 
        from threats like terrorists, illicit drugs, weapons, and criminals;
Whereas the Border Patrol Inspectors of the past and the Border Patrol Agents of 
        today perform their duties on foot, in automobiles, by horse, and in 
        boats;
Whereas today the Border Patrol uses state of the art technologies to aid in the 
        performance of their duties; infrared cameras, remote video 
        surveillance, unattended underground sensors, and ground radar support 
        their National Strategy;
Whereas they use canine teams to detect both humans and narcotics at immigration 
        checkpoints as well as in daily operations;
Whereas their Special Response Teams and Tactical Unit are specially trained for 
        domestic and international emergencies and they have Search, Trauma, and 
        Rescue teams, which provide humanitarian and rescue capabilities, 
        performing countless rescues every year; and
Whereas the Border Patrol is also supported in their mission with air and marine 
        assets and personnel from C.P. Air and Marine: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its support for the Border Patrol's goals and 
        objectives;
            (2) expresses its gratitude to the U.S. Border Patrol for its 
        commitment to protecting the United States; and
            (3) congratulates the Border Patrol and its exemplary workforce on 
        85 years of service to the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.