[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14740-S14741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 74--RECOGNIZING THE UNITED STATES BORDER 
            PATROL'S 75 YEARS OF SERVICE SINCE ITS FOUNDING

  Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Kyl, and Mr. Gramm) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 74

       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;

[[Page S14741]]

       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 Senate (the House of Representatives 
     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.

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