[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        VICTIMS OF ILLICIT DRUGS

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, the costs associated with illicit drugs are 
well known to most Americans. Costs such as increased crime--often 
violent in nature--extensive health care expenses, lost worker 
productivity, and destroyed lives, especially among the young are but 
just a few which inevitably flow from illicit narcotics.
  However, there is another deadly cost as well. A lesser known fact, 
involves the tragic loss of life among our law enforcement agents and 
police personnel from our war against drugs, is often not fully 
appreciated by many Americans.
  Most recently, our Nation lost five young and courageous special 
agents of the DEA, who died in a plane crash while on an operation in 
Peru against the cocaine traffickers. Another DEA agent was also killed 
in the line of duty earlier this year here at home in Arizona.
  These most recent deaths of Federal drug enforcement agents, along 
with their State and local law enforcement counterparts often killed in 
the line of duty from drug related incidents, are also part of the 
tragic costs of the illicit trade in narcotics.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that a letter I sent to the DEA Administrator 
Tom Constantine, following the recent deaths of the five DEA agents in 
Peru, be printed at this point in the Record. It reflects the debt of 
gratitude that we in this Nation owe the families and friends of these, 
and all other law enforcement officers, who pay the ultimate sacrifice 
in the battle against drugs.
  DEA Special Agents Frank Fernandez, Jr., Jay W. Seale, Meredith 
Thompson, Juan C. Varus, and Frank S. Wallace, Jr. who died recently in 
Peru, are American heros. Their sacrifices, and the memories of others, 
who have also died in the line of duty fighting the scourge of drugs, 
must not be forgotten by our Nation, nor their fellow countrymen, who 
they served so courageously, and very proudly.

                                     Committee on Foreign Affairs,


                                     House of Representatives,

                               Washington, DC, September 13, 1994.
     Hon. Tom Constantine,
     Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Tom: Those of us who have long been involved in the 
     struggle against illicit drugs have always realized that 
     there is a terrible cost associated with the drug trade and 
     trafficking. No greater cost however, could have been 
     imagined than the loss of the five young, courageous, and 
     valiant DEA agents, recently killed in a plane crash in Peru 
     during an operation.
       These brave and courageous U.S. law enforcement officers 
     have given their lives in service of their fellow countrymen, 
     as had the DEA agent killed in the line of duty earlier this 
     year in Arizona.
       This nation would have been adversely affected by far more 
     illicit cocaine headed from the Andes to the U.S., absent the 
     efforts of many courageous U.S. military personnel, and our 
     law enforcement agents, such as these DEA agents killed in 
     Peru. There they are fighting the traffickers on the front 
     lines at the source, alongside personnel from the host 
     countries. We must continue these agents' valiant efforts 
     against the scourge of drugs, which is destroying so much of 
     our society today.
       Words are a small comfort at this time to the families and 
     friends of these five agents who have made the ultimate 
     sacrifice in the battle against illicit drugs. As a grateful 
     and proud nation, we honor and greatly appreciate the 
     sacrifices they have made in service of their nation, its 
     fellow citizens, and especially our young.
       Please express my gratitude for these brave sacrifices and 
     my sincere condolences to all of the families of the DEA 
     agents lost in Peru, and in Arizona.
       With best wishes,
           Sincerely,
                                               Benjamin A. Gilman,
     Ranking Republican Member.

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