[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1164-E1165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF BORDER PATROL AGENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of two Border Patrol 
Agents, Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George P. Azrak, who were killed in 
the line of duty.
  Theodore Newton and George Azrak were Border Patrol Agents stationed 
at the interior checkpoint in Temecula, California. On the evening of 
June 17, 1967, Agents Newton and Azrak were operating a rural 
checkpoint on Highway 79, approximately 30 miles south of Temecula. 
Agent Newton, 26 years old and married with two children, had been with 
the Border Patrol for a little over a year, while Agent Azrak, 21 years 
old, who was shadowing Agent Newton, hadn't even begun training at the 
academy. During their shift, they stopped an old military ambulance 
carrying two men when they discovered a shipment of more than 800 
pounds of marijuana. As they

[[Page E1165]]

were about to arrest the two men, two more men pulled up from behind 
and held the agents at gunpoint. They were kidnapped and subsequently 
murdered by these drug-traffickers in an abandoned shack near the 
checkpoint.
  Upon hearing about the kidnapping, nearly 400 law enforcement 
officers participated in the search for the missing agents in one of 
the largest manhunts in Southern California. Eventually, the bodies 
were found, and all four of the men involved in the crime were later 
arrested. Two of the men convicted of murder were sentenced to life in 
prison.
  In honor of these two agents, the Commissioner of the Border Patrol 
presents annually the Newton-Azrak Award to the agent that provides 
services or accomplishments reflecting unusual courage or bravery in 
the line of duty. This is the highest award for valor and bravery in 
the Border Patrol.
  This country lost two dedicated law enforcement officers 37 years 
ago. The deaths of Agent Newton and Agent Azrak are a lasting reminder 
of the perils our law enforcement officers face each and every day 
while protecting our nation. I am grateful for their service and 
dedication to this great nation.
  I thank the Speaker for the opportunity to honor the anniversary of 
the passing of Agents Theodore Newton and George Azrak and recognize 
the loss suffered by their families. I would also like to recognize all 
the brave men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol and their family 
members who, like our military families, have loved ones putting their 
lives at risk for our security.

                          ____________________