[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE SOLOMON P. ORTIZ ON H.R. 3525

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                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, the Rio Grande Valley thanks the House for 
this economic stimulus package for the border * * * our economic 
opportunities were severely curtailed this fall when the extension of a 
deadline to obtain new border crossing cards was held up for three 
months.
  The efforts of the House Border Caucus have borne fruit with the 
inclusion of the extension of the deadline to replace old Border 
Crossing Cards (BCCs) with new ``laser visas.''
  This is the perfect Christmas present to the Southwest Border from 
the United States Congress.
  In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack, the increased 
vigilance at the border has also translated into a rougher tone in the 
Congress with regard to what should have been a pro forma extension of 
the deadline.
  The Southwest border has seen extensive economic damage as a result 
of the deadline not being extended, as expected, in September.
  I encourage the Senate to expedite consideration of the bill since 
the House has overcome the objections now.
  As the Co-Chairman of the House Border Caucus, I thank the House for 
including this provision so important to the Rio Grande Valley.
  I am also pleased that the bill authorized funding for additional 
staff and training to increase our border security.
  I am particularly pleased that the bill includes a more complete 
monitoring program of foreign students, as since September 11 it is 
glaringly apparent that data and reporting gaps must be filled.

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