[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4830, BORDER TUNNEL PREVENTION ACT 
 OF 2006; FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6094, COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT OF 
 2006; AND FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6095, IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT 
                              ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act.
  We need to secure our borders and ensure the safety of our country. 
The Border Tunnel Prevention Act is one positive step toward preventing 
criminals from entering our country unnoticed and illegally. This law 
creates new penalties for anyone using a tunnel to smuggle people, 
drugs or weapons into the United States. This effort is another tool 
for law enforcement and border security to begin to address illegal 
immigration and to aid in their efforts to keep our communities safe.
  I have heard numerous times from Minnesota law enforcement agents 
about illegal drugs that pass through the Twin Cities on a regular 
basis, much of it originating south of the border and intended for the 
U.S. or Canada. While our law enforcement has made progress in shutting 
down meth production in the U.S., 80 percent of this dangerous drug 
comes from ``superlabs'' in Mexico. No legislation can entirely stop 
the flow of illegal drugs into our country, but this bill will add 
increased provisions to punish those who smuggle drugs into the U.S.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 4830 today as a first 
step in what I hope will be a comprehensive effort to address 
immigration reform and the challenges law enforcement faces in keeping 
our communities and our country safe.

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