[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HELP OUR BORDER COMMUNITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2009

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to speak about 
a very important bill that I just introduced, the Save Our Border 
Communities Act (H.R. 670). The bill would reimburse police, 
firefighters and other first responders for services associated with 
U.S. Ports of Entry.
  Local law enforcement and first responders are bearing the brunt of 
protecting our borders. The federal government has not reimbursed 
border towns for border-related incidents and its drain on local 
police, firefighters and first responders is increasingly unbearable.
  In Imperial County, California, the already strained local police 
department has announced that due to the high volume of border-related 
requests, it will no longer respond to most calls from the U.S.-Mexico 
Port of Entry. The local police department stated they cannot afford to 
process and transport the numerous individuals with out-of-county 
misdemeanor warrants to the local jail. Now, instead of being brought 
to justice, these individuals are set free.
  It is about time the federal government pays its fair share. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in ensuring all our border communities are 
fully reimbursed for protecting our nation's borders by supporting the 
Save Our Border Communities Act.

                          ____________________