[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  IN HONOR OF MR. MICHAEL VIRGIL, SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE, CARIBBEAN 
       FIELD DIVISION OF THE U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Mr. Michael Virgil, 
Special Agent in Charge of the Caribbean Field Division of the U.S. 
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), for all of his achievements on 
behalf of the United States and to congratulate him on such a 
noteworthy and honorable career.
  Since joining the DEA in 1973, Mr. Vigil has continuously put himself 
in harms way to protect this country. Through his numerous foreign and 
domestic assignments, Mr. Virgil has made a career of fighting drug 
traffickers and drug cartels both here and abroad.
  As the Assistant Country Attache in Mexico City, Mr. Virgil oversaw 
the intelligence and enforcement operations. He also led the efforts of 
the Northern Border Response Force, a multi-agency program responsible 
for the seizure of more than 140 metric tons of cocaine and more than 
2,000 arrests in a five-year period.
  In addition, Mr. Virgil spearheaded the development and 
implementation of Operation Triangle, Operation Unidos, Operation 
Unidos II, and Cobra. In each of these programs, Mr. Virgil sought to 
create relationships between Mexico and other Central American 
countries to seal of drug-trafficking activities in Mexico.
  Throughout his twenty-seven year career with the DEA, Mr. Virgil's 
dedication and service have not gone unnoticed. Mr. Virgil has been the 
recipient of numerous performance and achievement awards, including the 
Administrator's Award for Exceptional Service.
  Mr. Virgil graduated with honors from the New Mexico State 
University, with a Bachelor's degree in Police Science and Criminology.
  For his almost thirty years of dedicated duty in fighting the threat 
that drugs pose to our society, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking and honoring Michael Virgil.




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