[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 110 (Monday, July 7, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6365-S6366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 610--HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE DRUG 
 ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION ON THE OCCASION OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                           THE ADMINISTRATION

  Mr. BIDEN (for himself and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 610

       Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was 
     created by Executive order on July 6, 1973, and merged 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 the United States with courage, vision, and 
     determination, protecting all the people of the United States 
     from the scourge of drug trafficking, drug abuse, and related 
     violence;
       Whereas the DEA has adjusted and refined the tactics and 
     methods by which the DEA targets the most dangerous drug 
     trafficking operations to bring to justice criminals such as 
     New York City's Nicky Barnes, key members of the infamous 
     Colombian Medellin cartel, Thai warlord Khun Sa, several 
     members of the Mexican Arellano-Felix organization, Afghan 
     terrorist Haji Baz Mohammad, and international arms dealer 
     Viktor Bout;
       Whereas throughout the 35 years since the DEA was created, 
     the DEA has continually adapted to the evolving trends of 
     drug trafficking organizations by aggressively targeting 
     organizations involved in the growing, manufacturing, and 
     distribution of such substances as marijuana, cocaine, 
     heroin, methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and controlled prescription 
     drugs;
       Whereas in 227 domestic offices, in 21 field divisions, the 
     DEA continues to strengthen and enhance existing 
     relationships with Federal, State, and local counterparts in 
     every State in the Union to combat drug trafficking;
       Whereas since 2000, DEA special agents have seized over 
     5,500 kilograms of heroin, 650,000 kilograms of cocaine, 
     2,300,000 kilograms of marijuana, and 13,000 kilograms of 
     methamphetamine and almost 80,000,000 dosage units of 
     hallucinogens, and made over 240,000 arrests;
       Whereas with 87 foreign offices, located in 63 countries, 
     the DEA has the largest international presence of any Federal 
     law enforcement agency;
       Whereas the personnel of the DEA continue to collaborate 
     closely with international partners around the globe, 
     including in such drug-producing countries as Colombia, 
     Mexico, Afghanistan, and Thailand;

[[Page S6366]]

       Whereas the results of this international collaboration 
     since 2000 alone have led to the indictments of 63 leaders, 
     members, and associates of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of 
     Colombia, a designated foreign terrorist organization;
       Whereas through the creation of the Diversion Control 
     Program in 1971, the DEA now registers and regulates over 
     1,200,000 registrants, while simultaneously combating the 
     continually evolving threat posed by the diversion of 
     controlled pharmaceuticals;
       Whereas the DEA continues to disrupt drug trafficking 
     activities by denying drug trafficking organizations 
     $3,500,000,000 in fiscal year 2007 alone, exceeding their 5-
     year goal of $3,000,000,000 annually by fiscal year 2009;
       Whereas DEA special agents continue to work alongside 
     Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials 
     throughout the United States in a cooperative effort to put 
     drug traffickers behind bars;
       Whereas throughout the history of the DEA and its 
     predecessor agencies, many employees and members of the task 
     forces have given their lives in the line of duty, including: 
     Charles Archie Wood, Stafford E. Beckett, Joseph W. Floyd, 
     Bert S. Gregory, James T. Williams, Louis L. Marks, James E. 
     Brown, James R. Kerrigan, John W. Crozier, Spencer Stafford, 
     Andrew P. Sanderson, Anker M. Bangs, Wilson M. Shee, Mansel 
     R. Burrell, Hector Jordan, Gene A. Clifton, Frank Tummillo, 
     Richard Heath, Jr., George F. White, 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, 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, Elton Armstead, Larry 
     Steilen, Terry Loftus, Jay Balchunas, and Richard E. Fass;
       Whereas many other DEA employees and task force officers 
     have been wounded or injured in the line of duty; and
       Whereas over 9,000 employees of the DEA, including special 
     agents, intelligence analysts, diversion investigators, 
     program analysts, forensic chemists, attorneys, and 
     administrative support personnel, along with over 2,000 task 
     force officers, and over 2,000 vetted foreign officers, work 
     tirelessly to hunt down and bring to justice the drug 
     trafficking cartels that seek to poison the citizens of the 
     United States with dangerous narcotics: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 
     on the occasion of its 35th anniversary;
       (2) honors the heroic sacrifice of the DEA employees who 
     have given their lives or have been wounded or injured in 
     service of the United States; and
       (3) gives heartfelt thanks to all the men and women of the 
     DEA for their past and continued efforts to defend the people 
     of the United States from the scourge of illegal drugs and 
     terrorism.

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