Commending United States Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens on his retirement after 29 years of exemplary public service.

Commending United States Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens on his retirement after 29 years of exemplary public service.

Whereas, since 1924, the United States Border Patrol’s (USBP) mission has been to protect the American people and promote economic prosperity through its border and national security mission;

Whereas Jason Owens began his career with the United States Border Patrol in 1996 in the El Centro sector as a member of Academy Class 325;

Whereas, in 2001, he completed the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) Selection Course XV and the Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue Team Selection Course III and later served as Field Operations Supervisor at BORTAC headquarters in El Paso, Texas, leading several counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations;

Whereas, in 2007, he was promoted to Assistant Chief at U.S. Border Patrol headquarters in Washington, DC, with the Special Operations Division;

Whereas, in 2009, he transferred to the Grand Forks sector as the Patrol Agent in Charge of the Pembina Station, and was later promoted to Assistant Chief Patrol Agent, managing all stations within Minnesota;

Whereas, in 2012, he transferred to the Rio Grande Valley sector and served as the Special Operations Detachment Patrol Agent in Charge, and was later promoted to Rio Grande City Station Patrol Agent in Charge;

Whereas, in 2015, he was selected as the Laredo sector Division Chief of Operations;

Whereas, in 2016, he was assigned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and Office of Intelligence as the Deputy Assistant Director for Enterprises Services in Washington, DC;

Whereas, from 2017 to 2018, he served as the Laredo sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent, directing operations along the United States-Mexico border and commanding over 1,900 agents and professional staff;

Whereas, in 2019, he served as the Houlton sector Chief Patrol Agent, responsible for border security operations in Maine;

Whereas, in 2020, he served as the U.S. Border Patrol Academy Chief Patrol Agent, providing strategic vision, leadership, and technical direction for basic resident and advanced nonresident courses;

Whereas, from 2021 to 2023, he served as the Del Rio sector Chief Patrol Agent, leading one of the largest and busiest sectors along the United States-Mexico border;

Whereas he attended Shorter University and the National War College, completing studies in accountancy and national security strategy;

Whereas he is a graduate of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Leadership Institute, the American University’s Key Executive Leadership Program, and the Department of Homeland Security Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program;

Whereas Jason Owens became the 26th Chief of the United States Border Patrol on July 2, 2023;

Whereas, since the beginning of 2021, there has been an overwhelming increase in the number of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border;

Whereas he bolstered efforts to proactively combat cartel activity by establishing the U.S. Border Patrol Targeting and Investigations Division;

Whereas he expanded the U.S. Border Patrol Resiliency Division to prioritize the well-being of the workforce by ensuring comprehensive physical and mental support for agents and staff; and

Whereas, despite the challenges that this presented for each of the brave men and women that defend our borders, Jason Owens remained committed to carrying out the mission of USBP and upholding the rule of law: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) commends United States Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens on his retirement after 29 years of honorable service to the Nation; and

(2) acknowledges and affirms that Jason Owens exemplified leadership and faithfulness in the execution of his duties.