[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6061, SECURE FENCE ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6061, 
the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This bill will help secure the border and 
stem the unrelenting flow of illegal aliens into this country by 
authorizing 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing, mandating the 
Department of Homeland Security to achieve and maintain operational 
control over the entire border through various methods such as ground 
sensors, cameras and surveillance technology. It also requires the 
Department of Homeland Security to provide necessary authority to 
Border Patrol agents to disable fleeing vehicles, similar to the 
authority granted to the U.S. Coast Guard.
  The provisions in this bill will address our country's vulnerability 
and strengthen operational controls along our borders. Border fences 
have a proven success rate in drastically reducing the number of 
illegal aliens entering our country illegally. When enacted, this bill 
will dramatically reduce illegal immigration and make us safer.
  I have long been committed to stopping the flow of illegal 
immigration and securing our porous borders. My constituents have made 
it clear to me they want our borders secure, our laws enforced and the 
flow of illegal immigration stopped immediately. The recent 22 
immigration field hearings held across the country during the month of 
August yielded the same mandate from the American people, secure the 
borders now.
  The amnesty provisions contained in the Senate-passed immigration 
reform measure earlier this year would encourage future illegal 
immigration and reward those who have violated America's laws with a 
quick and easy path to citizenship. There is more to be done in dealing 
with illegal immigration, but securing the borders must be the first 
step. America cannot afford to wait any longer and I will continue to 
push to secure our borders now.

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