[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1364-E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE U.S. BORDER PATROL ON ITS 85TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 2009

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 498. Last week was the 85th anniversary of the United States 
Border Patrol. In 1924, Congress approved the Immigration Act, which 
established the U.S. Border Patrol.
  Their long and illustrious history began with 25 Patrol Inspectors in 
El Paso, Texas and Detroit Michigan with the mission of combating the 
illegal entry of aliens, contraband, and the flow of illicit liquor 
from Mexico and Canada into the U.S.
  During the height of prohibition, lawlessness and violence became 
more common along the water borders of the Detroit Sector. Several 
Detroit Sector Patrol Inspectors were killed in the line of duty, as 
smugglers attempting to bring contraband across the border resorted to 
violence to protect their cargo from the Border Patrol Inspectors.
  A lot has changed since 1924, but the core mission of the Border 
Patrol is still detecting and preventing the illegal entry of aliens 
and preventing the smuggling of contraband. Since the terrorist attacks 
of 9-11, the focus of the Border Patrol has changed to include 
detection, apprehension and deterrence of terrorists and terrorist 
weapons.
  America has given this vital task to a group of dedicated law-
enforcement agents, who are our eyes and ears, in the air, land and 
sea. They work in a variety of climates, and seize a great deal of the 
drugs intended for our streets and our children.
  Coming from a border district, I have a real interest in ensuring 
that the Border Patrol is equipped with the right mix of personnel, 
technology, and equipment that will enhance our ability to separate 
legitimate travel and trade, from those that seek to do us harm or 
enter our nation illegally.
  The Detroit Sector of the Border Patrol is responsible for 863 miles 
of our liquid border with Canada, and in the last five years, Agents 
have made nearly 5,000 arrests--an impressive accomplishment.
  Chief Patrol Agent Randy Gallegos, and the men and women of Sector 
Detroit are dedicated professionals, who defend the border and our 
nation owes them and the entire U.S. Border Patrol a debt of gratitude 
for their distinguished service to our nation.
  They follow the proud tradition of securing our border that began 
eighty-five years ago in small stations, with only a handful of agents. 
Today, there are over 18,000 men and women who wear the green uniform 
of a Border Patrol Agent.
  Without these brave Americans our nation would be less secure, and 
for that I want to offer my sincerest thanks. Our Border Patrol agents 
epitomize the motto of the Border Patrol--Honor First.

[[Page E1365]]

  Congratulations on your first eight-five years!
  I urge my colleagues to support passage of this resolution.

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