[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H1234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             IMPRISONMENT OF TWO U.S. BORDER PATROL AGENTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, 3 weeks ago two U.S. Border 
Patrol agents entered Federal prison. Agents Ramos and Compeon never 
should have been sent to Federal prison. These agents were convicted 
last spring for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds 
of marijuana across our southern border into Texas.
  Members of Congress have, and let me say, not only Members of 
Congress, but many American citizens, have repeatedly petitioned 
President Bush to pardon these agents. At the House Democratic Caucus 
last week, the President said: ``We want our Border Patrol agents 
guarding the borders from criminals and drug dealers and terrorists.''
  Mr. President, we are calling on you today, as you said you would 
weeks ago, to take a sober look at this case.
  Many Members of Congress have warned that if these two Border Patrol 
agents entered prison their safety would be threatened by those who 
hate law enforcement officers. Tragically, this happened last Saturday 
night when Agent Ramos was beaten while being in prison.
  Mr. President, you have the authority to correct an injustice. 
Please, Mr. President, expedite your consideration of a pardon for 
these two men and help their families realize that America is a country 
that believes in justice.
  Mr. Speaker, before closing, I want to repeat that: Mr. President, 
you have the authority to correct an injustice. Please expedite your 
consideration of a pardon for these two men and help their families 
realize that America is a country that believes in justice.

                          ____________________