[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 13 (Friday, January 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE U.S. BORDER PATROL AND NASA 
                  ASTRONAUT DR. JOHN ``DANNY'' OLIVAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 29, 2010

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, this week I was honored to participate in a 
very special ceremony that became a part of the proud history of the 
United States Border Patrol. I had the privilege of joining Dr. John 
``Danny'' Olivas, one of NASA's great astronauts, in my congressional 
district to unveil a special U.S. Border Patrol flag that traveled with 
the crew of STS-128 to the International Space Station in August of 
last year.
  Before his mission to the International Space Station, Dr. Olivas 
approached me and generously offered to fly an item with him and his 
fellow crewmates into space. We felt that flying the banner of the 
Border Patrol would be a wonderful symbol to represent our nation's 
appreciation for the agency's outstanding professionals of the past, 
present, and future.
  The flag was flown 85 years after the U.S. Border Patrol was founded 
in 1924. As a fledgling agency, the Border Patrol had only a handful of 
agents who patrolled America's vast borders on horseback. Today, the 
agency boasts approximately 20,000 men and women who work to keep our 
nation secure at 20 sectors throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, 
and the Virgin Islands.
  Dr. Danny Olivas and the crew of STS-128 traveled a total of 5.7 
million miles during their mission, at speeds as high of 17,000 mph. 
Aboard this special journey was the banner of the United States Border 
Patrol.
  On January 26, I joined Dr. Olivas and Acting U.S. Border Patrol 
Chief Michael Fisher at the National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, 
Texas, where the flag will be on permanent display. Dozens of agents, 
students, and community members were present to view the newest and 
most traveled exhibit in the museum's collection.
  At the event, Dr. Olivas told students that there are many ways to 
serve our great country, being a Border Patrol agent, a soldier, or an 
astronaut are but a few examples. He said, ``It takes everybody taking 
their own passions and putting through efforts to make our country what 
it is.'' I couldn't agree more.
  He encouraged students to follow their dreams and told them that he 
is living proof that everyone can achieve their dreams if they have the 
desire to do so. Danny claims that as a student, he wasn't the 
smartest, the most athletic, or the most talented; he was just your 
average kid. With the love and support from his parents and a strong 
interest in machines and outer space, Danny worked hard to fulfill his 
dream of one day becoming an astronaut.
  As a 26\1/2\ year veteran of the United States Border Patrol and 
former Sector Chief, I truly appreciate Dr. Olivas' efforts to 
recognize the men and women of the Border Patrol who work hard to 
protect our nation and to honor those who have given the ultimate 
sacrifice in the line of duty.
  I. appreciation for his support of the Border Patrol, Dr. Olivas was 
designated as an honorary agent by Acting Deputy Customs and Border 
Protection Commissioner David Aguilar and was presented with a Border 
Patrol flag that was flown at all Border Patrol Sectors in the United 
States and signed by each of the Sector Chiefs. This honorary 
distinction has been awarded to only a handful of individuals in Border 
Patrol history, and I congratulate Dr. Olivas on this honor.

                          ____________________