[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


U.S. COAST GUARD COMMENDED FOR LEADING FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS AND 
                          VIOLENT DRUG CARTELS

  (Mr. ZELIFF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ZELIFF. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Coast Guard is leading the charge 
against a force that is now our No. 1 national security threat--illegal 
drugs and violent drug cartels.
  Last week, as chairman of the National Security, International 
Affairs and Criminal Justice Subcommittee, I led a congressional 
delegation to the front lines in the drug war. We went to the 7th Coast 
Guard District. What we saw was both impressive and disturbing.
  Impressive, because we saw brave men and women in the air and on the 
sea, putting their lives at risk, in the drug transit zone, hunting 
narcotraffickers. They are out there protecting our kids and our 
grandchildren. And they need our help.
  Disturbing, because our Nation has badly underestimated the threat 
posed by drugs and the drug cartels. The interdiction effort needs our 
support. Congress and President Clinton have to lead.
  In the past 2 years, drug use has skyrocketed. But the priority on 
drug interdiction has fallen. We flew in Falcon jets. But 4 of the 
region's 10 Falcons have been retired. We flew in HH-60 helicopters. 
But the pilots have lost radars, aerostats, and their only C-130 AWAC. 
Resources are at rock bottom, when they should be at the top.
  We saw 5,000 pounds of drugs interdicted by the brave souls on the 
Coast Guard Cutter Mellon. But the raw truth is: The drug cartels are 
killing us as surely as any foreign enemy. It has got to stop.
  From the frontlines, I say to my colleagues and I say to President 
Clinton, let us get drugs at the top of the national agenda.
  To the Coast Guard I say, thank you. You are doing important and 
dangerous work, and we appreciate it.

                          ____________________