[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 161 (Friday, November 7, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14274-S14275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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     SENATE RESOLUTION 263--HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE DRUG 
   ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. GRASSLEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 263

       Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was first 
     created by executive order on July 6, 1973, merging the 
     previously separate law enforcement and intelligence agencies 
     responsible for narcotics control;
       Whereas the first Administrator of the DEA, John R. 
     Bartels, Jr., was confirmed by the Senate on October 4, 1973;
       Whereas since 1973 the men and women of the DEA have served 
     our Nation with courage, vision and determination, protecting 
     all Americans from the scourge of drug trafficking, abuse, 
     and related violence;
       Whereas between 1986 and 2002 alone, DEA agents seized over 
     10,000 kilograms of heroin, 900,000 kilograms of cocaine, 
     4,600,000 kilograms of marijuana, 113,000,000 dosage units of 
     hallucinogens, and 1,500,000,000 dosage units of 
     methamphetamine, and made over 443,000 arrests of drug 
     traffickers;
       Whereas DEA agents continue to lead task forces of Federal, 
     State, and local law enforcement officials throughout the 
     Nation, in a cooperative effort to stop drug trafficking and 
     put drug gangs behind bars;
       Whereas throughout its history many DEA employees and 
     members of DEA task forces have given their lives in the 
     defense of our Nation, including: Emir Benitez, Gerald 
     Sawyer, Leslie S. Grosso, Nickolas Fragos, Mary M. Keehan, 
     Charles H. Mann, Anna Y. Mounger, Anna J. Pope, Martha D. 
     Skeels, Mary P. Sullivan, Larry D. Wallace, Ralph N. Shaw, 
     James T. Lunn, Octavio Gonzalez, Francis J. Miller, Robert C. 
     Lightfoot, Thomas J. Devine, Larry N. Carwell, Marcellus 
     Ward, Enrique S. Camarena, James A. Avant, Charles M. 
     Bassing, Kevin L. Brosch, Susan M. Hoefler, William Ramos, 
     Raymond J. Stastny, Arthur L. Cash, Terry W. McNett, George 
     M. Montoya, Paul S. Seema, Everett E. Hatcher, Rickie C. 
     Finley, Joseph T. Aversa, Wallie Howard, Jr., Eugene T. 
     McCarthy, Alan H. Winn, George D. Althouse, Becky L. 
     Dwojeski, Stephen J. Strehl, Richard E. Fass, Juan C. Vars, 
     Jay W. Seale, Meredith Thompson, Frank S. Wallace, Jr., Frank 
     Fernandez, Jr., Kenneth G. McCullough, Carrol June Fields, 
     Rona L. Chafey, Shelly D. Bland, Carrie A. Lenz, Shaun E. 
     Curl, Royce D. Tramel, Alice Faye Hall-Walton, and Elton 
     Armstead;
       Whereas many other employees and task force officers of the 
     DEA have been wounded or injured in the line of duty; and
       Whereas in its 173 domestic offices and 78 foreign offices 
     worldwide the over 8,800 employees of the DEA continue to 
     hunt down and bring to justice the drug trafficking cartels 
     that seek to poison our citizens with dangerous narcotics: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration on 
     the occasion of its 30th Anniversary;
       (2) honors the heroic sacrifice of those of its employees 
     who have given their lives or been wounded or injured in the 
     service of our Nation; and
       (3) thanks all the men and women of the Drug Enforcement 
     Administration for their past and continued efforts to defend 
     the American people from the scourge of illegal drugs.
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  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I honor and 
congratulate the Drug Enforcement Agency on its 30th Anniversary. This 
is an important milestone for the DEA and for our country. Over the 
last thirty years the men and women of the DEA have worked in 
communities around the Nation to improve the quality of life for all 
Americans.

[[Page S14275]]

  The Drug Enforcement Agency was established on October 4, 1973, soon 
after John R. Bartles, Jr., was confirmed by the Senate as the DEA's 
first Administrator. Since then, the men and women of the DEA have 
continued to serve our Nation with courage and dedication in the face 
of great odds.
  In recognition of this thirty year milestone, it is fitting that we 
pay tribute to the work and sacrifices of the men and women of the DEA 
and also acknowledge the organizations many accomplishments.
  Currently the DEA operates 173 domestic offices and 78 overseas 
offices with over 8,800 employees. The DEA continues to lead task 
forces throughout our Nation's communities in a cooperative effort to 
control both the consumption and flow of illegal drugs.
  Between 1986 and 2002, DEA agents seized over 10,000 kilograms of 
heroin, 900,000 kilograms of cocaine, 4,600,000 kilograms of marijuana, 
113,000,000 dosage units of hallucinogens, and 1,500,000,000 dosage 
unites of methamphetamine, and made over 443,000 arrests of drug 
traffickers.
  Let me also express my deepest thanks to the DEA for their work and 
commitment to protecting the communities of Iowa. Although Interstates 
80 and 35 cross Iowa providing a ready smuggling route for many drug 
trafficking organizations, their work has had a tremendous effect on 
our efforts to squeeze the flow of illegal narcotics through the state. 
During 2002 the DEA participated in 28 highway interdictions in Iowa, 
leading to the seizure of approximately 56 kilograms of cocaine, 40.5 
pounds of methamphetamine, 2,075 pounds of marijuana, and nearly $1.9 
million in cash. Additionally they assisted in the seizure of 871 
clandestine laboratories.
  Throughout its history, the DEA has proven steadfast in their 
commitment to bringing drug traffickers to justice. Their service to 
our country has indeed made a tremendous difference in our nation's 
communities. However, these accomplishments did not come without a 
price. Many men and women of the DEA have given their lives and many 
others wounded and injured in the defense of our Nation.
  I am pleased to submit a resolution honoring the men and women of the 
DEA on their 30th anniversary for their efforts to defend the American 
people from illegal drugs. I encourage my colleagues to join with me in 
congratulating and honoring the men and women of the DEA for their many 
accomplishments and sacrifices throughout their first thirty years. I 
have every confidence that these men and women will continue in that 
same tradition of excellence. To those in the DEA both past and 
present, I offer my sincerest gratitude for your courage, dedication, 
and service.

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