[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 9, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1190-H1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING ASSISTANCE TO MEXICO IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUG 
                                VIOLENCE

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1032) expressing the sense of the 
House of Representatives that the United States should continue to 
assist the Mexican Government in fighting the drug cartels and curbing 
violence against Mexican and United States citizens, both in the United 
States and abroad, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1032

       Whereas Mr. Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo, a United 
     States citizen and resident of California, was senselessly 
     murdered on December 31, 2009, at the young age of 33 while 
     vacationing with his family in the city of Gomez Palacio, 
     Durango, Mexico;
       Whereas Bobby Salcedo was a rising star in the community, 
     had just been elected to his second term as a member of the 
     El Monte City School Board, and served as the vice principal 
     and football coach at his alma mater, Mountain View High 
     School;
       Whereas Bobby Salcedo was studying for his doctorate in 
     educational leadership at the University of California, Los 
     Angeles, after having earned his bachelor's degree in history 
     from California State University, Long Beach, and a master's 
     degree in educational administration from California State 
     University, San Bernardino;
       Whereas Bobby Salcedo, the son of immigrant parents, sought 
     to chart a better course for his entire community, serving as 
     a local leader for such organizations as the South El Monte/
     Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico Sister City Organization;
       Whereas, on December 31, 2009, Mr. Salcedo was having 
     dinner in Mexico in a restaurant with family and friends when 
     a group of armed and masked men burst in and forcibly removed 
     Mr. Salcedo and 5 other men;
       Whereas Mr. Salcedo was killed execution-style with a 
     single gunshot to the head;
       Whereas Bobby Salcedo's body, along with the bodies of the 
     5 other men, was found several hours later dumped in a field 
     near a canal;
       Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been asked 
     by the Government of Mexico to assist in investigating the 
     death of Mr. Salcedo;
       Whereas innocents are directly impacted by drug-related 
     violence in Mexico;
       Whereas the Mexican drug cartels are major producers and 
     suppliers to the United States market for heroin, 
     methamphetamine, and marijuana and the major transit country 
     for 90 percent of the cocaine sold in the United States;
       Whereas the National Drug Intelligence Center, a component 
     of the U.S. Department of Justice, has identified Mexican 
     drug trafficking organizations as ``the greatest drug 
     trafficking threat to the United States'';
       Whereas the illegal trafficking of firearms, including from 
     the United States to Mexico, contributes to drug-related 
     violence, and the United States-Mexico Joint Statement on the 
     Merida Initiative on October 22, 2007, stated that the United 
     States will ``continue to combat trafficking of weapons and 
     bulk currency to Mexico.'';
       Whereas the Mexican drug cartels have become increasingly 
     violent, killing at least 5,600 people in 2008 and more than 
     7,000 people in 2009;
       Whereas the Mexican State of Durango, where Bobby Salcedo's 
     execution took place, is one of the most violent with more 
     than 700 recorded gang related killings in 2009;
       Whereas the Government of President Felipe Calderon has 
     significantly stepped up Mexico's efforts to confront the 
     drug cartels and end the violence, deploying some 45,000 
     troops and 5,000 police throughout Mexico; and
       Whereas the United States Congress has appropriated over 
     $1,300,000,000 under the Merida Initiative to help Mexico 
     break the power and impunity of the drug cartels, assist the 
     Government of Mexico in strengthening its judicial and law 
     enforcement institutions, curtail gang activity in Mexico, 
     and disrupt demand for and distribution of drugs in the 
     region: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses sorrow at the death of Mr. Agustin Roberto 
     ``Bobby'' Salcedo;
       (2) supports continued cooperation between the United 
     States Government and the Government of Mexico to help 
     identify and convict Mr. Salcedo's killers;
       (3) calls on the Governments of the United States and 
     Mexico to increase cooperation to prosecute those responsible 
     for the drug-related killings of innocents in Mexico, be they 
     United States or Mexican citizens; and
       (4) reaffirms its continued support for bilateral 
     cooperation with Mexico to break the power of the Mexican 
     drug cartels and turn the tide of violence.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Clay). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) and the gentlewoman from Florida 
(Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On December 31, Mr. Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo, a high school 
vice principal and school board member, and a young leader of several 
local organizations, was brutally murdered while on a family vacation 
in Durango state, Mexico, at the hands of violent men with ties to 
Mexican drug cartels.

[[Page H1191]]

  While enjoying the company of family and friends at a restaurant in 
the city of Gomez Palacio, Mr. Salcedo and five other patrons were 
taken hostage by a group of masked, armed individuals. They were all 
subsequently killed execution-style, their bodies discovered in a field 
a few hours later.
  This incident is a tragic example of the drug-related violence that 
is plaguing Mexico today. Reliable estimates suggest that more than 
16,000 people have died in drug-related violence since President Felipe 
Calderon declared a war on drug traffickers in January 2007, including 
almost 8,000 deaths in 2009 alone and over 1,000 so far this year.
  Many of those killed each year are associated with the drug trade, 
but there has been an alarming increase in the number of innocent 
bystanders who have become victims of the violence, including Mr. 
Salcedo. Last year, more than 500 women and children were killed by 
these cartels. The Department of Justice has identified the Mexican 
cartels as ``the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United 
States.'' Indeed, these cartels are major producers and suppliers of 
heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana to the United States drug market 
and the major transit country for 90 percent of the cocaine sold in the 
United States.
  In light of horrific events such as Mr. Salcedo's senseless murder, 
which the FBI continues to investigate, alongside Mexican authorities, 
we must continue to seek justice for all American citizens and other 
innocents harmed by drug-related violence.
  Mr. Salcedo was a respected member of his El Monte, California, 
community, and an inspiration to so many of his students. His friends 
and family deserve to see that his murderers and their patrons are 
brought to justice. The United States must continue to work with Mexico 
to break the grip of the powerful drug cartels, curtail violence, 
reduce arms trafficking from the United States to Mexico, and diminish 
the demand for drugs throughout North America.
  It is important that we express our solidarity with the Mexican 
people and government who are on the front lines of the fight against 
the cartels, and that we work together closely to address the drug-
related violence that has had such a devastating effect on both of our 
countries.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague in supporting the 
ongoing cooperation between the United States and Mexico to fight the 
drug cartels and curb the drug-related violence which is increasingly 
impacting our citizens on both sides of the border. There is no doubt 
that through the Merida Initiative, significant gains have been made 
against narcotraffickers and organized crime in Mexico over the past 
couple of years.
  However, as is to be expected, the harder we fight to get them off 
the streets, the harder they fight to stay there. More than 7,000 
people were killed at the hands of drug-related violence in Mexico last 
year alone. One of those victims is recognized in this resolution, Mr. 
Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo, a U.S. citizen and resident of 
California. Mr. Salcedo was in Mexico visiting his family, and was with 
family on New Year's Eve when, as the resolution states, he was 
callously abducted and murdered by a group of masked, armed men. His 
family has yet to learn why.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Salcedo's story is one that many of us are 
becoming all too familiar with. Over 14 months ago, Mr. Felix Batista, 
a constituent of my congressional district, disappeared in Mexico. He 
has not been heard from or seen since. I have worked closely with many 
of my colleagues in the Florida delegation, both in the House and the 
Senate, especially our Florida Senator Bill Nelson, to try to help his 
family over the last year. And while it is my understanding that the 
FBI and Mexican authorities were investigating his case, his family has 
yet to gain a better understanding of exactly what happened to Mr. 
Batista on December 10, 2008.
  The tragic disappearance of Mr. Batista and so many other Americans 
who have been victims of violence in Mexico demonstrates that the 
security challenges facing our neighbor in the south also pose a threat 
to the safety of our Nation and our citizens. It is critical that we 
continue to work with Mexico and other democratic partners in the 
region to present a united front against narcotraffickers in our 
hemisphere. We especially must not forget our partners in Colombia. 
While there is no doubt that tremendous advances have been made, the 
premature reduction in assistance to Colombia would undoubtedly put 
these great gains at risk. Much hard work remains to be done in 
Colombia and throughout the region.
  Together we can successfully confront the transnational nature of 
these criminals and their illicit activities.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
1032, a resolution to honor Agustin ``Bobby'' Salcedo, an exemplary 
American citizen who was the victim of a shocking murder in Mexico, and 
to urge the United States to be resolute in its efforts to help Mexico 
fight the drug cartels.
  This past December, Bobby traveled to Gomez Palacio in the Mexican 
state of Durango to visit his wife's family for the holidays. On New 
Year's Eve, he was out with family and friends at a local restaurant 
when gunmen burst in and dragged Bobby, along with five other men, out 
of the restaurant at gunpoint. They were then each shot to death 
execution-style. The next day, all six bodies were found dumped in a 
ditch. Bobby was only 33 years old.
  I met Bobby early in his career. Having grown up in my district, in 
El Monte, California, he was dedicated to improving the lives of 
children in his community. He was an elected school board member in the 
El Monte School District. He returned to his alma mater to become its 
assistant principal and was studying for his doctorate in education at 
UCLA. It was clear to everyone who knew him that he was going 
somewhere. He was a rising star.
  After the investigation began, it was confirmed that none of the six 
murder victims were connected to the drug trade in any way. Bobby and 
the others were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their deaths 
exemplify the growing number of innocent bystanders who are becoming 
victimized by cartel violence in Mexico. It had seemed as though the 
situation could not get worse. However, only weeks after Bobby was 
murdered, the lead state investigator in his case was also shot dead by 
the drug cartels.
  Bobby's murder brings to the forefront two critical issues: the 
urgency in finding the killers of Bobby Salcedo, and the importance of 
reducing the violence of the drug cartels in Mexico. There must be 
justice in the murder of Bobby Salcedo, but the challenges are great. 
The state of Durango is one of the most violent in Mexico. In 2009, 
there were 637 cartel-style murders in Durango, and not one of the 
cases has been solved by the police. State authorities are limited in 
their resources, and the cartels have successfully corrupted or scared 
away many officials from interfering in their business.
  That is why I have asked the Mexican Government to make every effort 
to bring the full force of the federal government on the Salcedo 
murder. The federal government's strong stance against organized crime 
offers hope in this case. The federal government has greater resources 
at their disposal, such as forensic equipment, manpower, and training. 
Although the federal government has yet to federalize Bobby's case, I 
am hopeful they will realize this case is a symbol for both of our 
countries and can demonstrate to all parties that progress can be made.
  We cannot allow the death of innocent bystanders, of American 
citizens, to pass without consequence. Until there is true 
accountability for the violence, there is little incentive for the drug 
lords to keep peace. But the overall solution is not stopping the 
violence of the drug cartels. The U.S. must be resolute in supporting 
Mexico's efforts to combat the drug trade and its violent consequences. 
There has been progress. President Felipe

[[Page H1192]]

Calderon made the combating of drug violence his focal point. He 
greatly increased efforts on the Federal level to track down the drug 
kingpins and reduce their supply lines.

                              {time}  1530

  In 2007 the United States and Mexico worked together to pass the 
Merida Initiative. This agreement took Mexican and American cooperation 
to a whole new level, providing over $1.3 billion to support the 
Mexican Government in its fight. The funds went to helicopters, 
surveillance aircraft, interdiction equipment, nonintrusive inspection 
equipment and improved data collection capabilities, as well as 
provided for training programs and institution building in Mexico.
  But now we are at a critical point. The Merida Initiative will expire 
at the end of this year, the war has not been won, and the violence 
grows more disturbing each day. That is why Congress and the 
administration must decide now how to implement the next phase of this 
partnership.
  In my conversations with law enforcement and state departments, three 
elements are critical in a new initiative: fighting the massive money 
laundering of funds out of the U.S., improving the forensic technology 
available to Mexican law enforcement entities, and helping Mexico 
rebuild its judicial institutions.
  On money laundering: Every year between $8 billion to $10 billion is 
smuggled out of the U.S. by the drug cartels. Even as our law 
enforcement agencies are improving their ability to stop these funds 
from leaving the country, the cartels are finding novel ways to launder 
money. They are using money service businesses, online services, and 
even legitimate retail businesses as fronts for their illegal 
transactions, and they are also using massive bulk cash transfers. 
Stopping the money laundering gets at the heart of the drug cartel 
operation.
  On technology: Mexican state and local law enforcement agencies are 
sorely lacking in the appropriate technology to combat these well-armed 
cartels. We must focus more of our efforts on the local institutions to 
provide them with 21st-century law enforcement technology.
  And on the judiciary: until we have a partner with a strong judiciary 
and objective law enforcement, the cartels will continue to run free. 
By providing resources to train law enforcement and rooting out 
corruption amongst them, drug kingpins will be forced to face the 
consequences of their actions.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I yield an additional 30 seconds for my 
colleague to sum up.
  Ms. CHU. Now is the time to pass this resolution. Bobby Salcedo's 
death is a brutal reminder that this violence is a growing threat not 
just to Mexicans, but also to Americans. Bringing his killers to 
justice will vindicate his death, and ending the violence in Mexico 
will save the lives of thousands of innocent victims in this gruesome 
war. For these reasons, I urge you to vote in favor of this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate our 
colleague from California (Ms. Chu) for her leadership on this issue.
  I was in Mexico just about 1 year ago, and clearly the unfolding 
violence is something that ought to be of great concern to every 
American. It is just on the southern part of our border, and frankly it 
is something that is very alarming in its scope and in its unparalleled 
violence. I thank our colleague from California for bringing this once 
again to the attention of the United States Congress.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1032.
  H. Res. 1032 not only stresses the need to work with the Mexican law 
enforcement community in the fight against drug cartels, it also honors 
the life of El Monte resident, Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo. El 
Monte is a great city in the San Gabriel Valley which Congresswoman 
Chu, the author of this resolution, and I represent. I am pleased to be 
a cosponsor of H. Res. 1032 and I want to thank Congresswoman Chu for 
her hard work on this important issue, and her dedication to the 
Salcedo family and the El Monte community.
  Mr. Salcedo was an innocent bystander in the relentless, ongoing drug 
war that is being waged throughout Mexico. He was viciously murdered, 
along with five other men, while visiting family in Mexico over the 
holidays. It is clear that Bobby Salcedo touched the lives of thousands 
through his work as a teacher, coach and school administrator and I 
offer my deepest condolences his family and friends. The community of 
El Monte lost an outstanding family man, friend, colleague and 
educator.
  Unfortunately Mr. Salcedo is not the only innocent victim in this 
drug war. As noted in H. Res. 1032, there has been an outbreak of 
violence in Mexico and individuals who have no connection whatsoever to 
the drug cartels are in danger. I will continue to support efforts in 
Congress to ensure that our law enforcement have the resources they 
need to end drug related violence in Mexico and the United States. This 
will not be an easy task. The cartels are ruthless in their desire to 
continue the brutality.
  The Mexican government and the FBI are working together to solve Mr. 
Salcedo's murder. It is my hope that with continued cooperation between 
law enforcement agencies in both the United States and Mexico, the 
individuals who committed this senseless crime against Mr. Salcedo will 
soon be brought to justice.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. 
Res. 1032, ``Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 
the United States should continue to assist the Mexican Government in 
fighting the drug cartels and curbing violence against Mexican and 
United States citizens, both in the United States and abroad.''
  Let me begin by thanking my colleague Representative Judy Chu for 
introducing this resolution, as it is vitally important both to our 
national security and the safety of the American people that we 
confront the problem of transnational drug trafficking and attempt to 
reduce the violence associated with the trade of narcotics.
  Violence related to the drug trade has hit catastrophic proportions 
over the last few years. Just across the United States-Mexico border 
from my home state of Texas a battle is being waged by armed gangs for 
the control of the illicit transnational drug market. In Mexico alone, 
drug cartels killed at least 5,600 people in 2008 and that number 
increased to more than 7,000 people in 2009. I condemn in the strongest 
possible terms this type of senseless violence and will work to see 
that violence against civilians in the U.S. and in Mexico is curbed or 
eliminated.
  Unfortunately, execution-style killings and kidnappings have become 
the norm in many Mexican cities like Ciudad Juarez and Gomez Palacio as 
drug cartels attempt to extend the reach of their power and institute a 
sense of fear over the local populations.
  In one of the most atrocious acts of violence against an innocent 
U.S. citizen, Bobby Salcedo was killed execution-style while 
vacationing in Mexico by a single gunshot to the head after being 
kidnapped. Mr. Salcedo was kidnapped while at dinner with family and 
friends in a restaurant and had no apparent connections to the drug or 
arms trade.
  Mr. Salcedo was a pillar of his community in El Monte City, 
California where he served on the local School Board, and also served 
as the vice principal and football coach of Mountain View High School. 
Mr. Salcedo also served as a local leader for such organizations as the 
South El Monte/Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico Sister City Organization.
  Furthermore, Mr. Salcedo was in the process of earning a doctoral 
degree in educational leadership at the University of California, Los 
Angeles, and had previously earned his bachelor's degree in history 
from California State University, Long Beach, and a master's degree in 
educational administration from California State University, San 
Bernardino.
  Violence from the drug trade has also created many problems in my 
home city of Houston, Texas. Houston has one of the highest murder 
rates among U.S. cities with a population over 1 million. Furthermore, 
much of this violence likely stems from the fact that Houston is a 
major hub for drug traffickers, who supply cocaine, marijuana, heroin, 
and methamphetamine to distributors in other American markets. Many of 
these issues surrounding violence also stem from the problem of 
transnational gangs and organized crime cartels.
  There are currently at least seven drug cartel organizations 
operating between the U.S. and Mexico. These groups are not only 
involved in the illicit transportation of drugs but are also involved 
in the illicit trade of firearms, execution of public officials and 
these groups have also terrorized entire local populations.
  Many of these gangs and cartel organizations also have vast links and 
networks within the U.S., some even managing to penetrate American 
Junior High and High Schools. It is important that we recognize this 
threat and work towards the dissolution of these groups

[[Page H1193]]

and continue to promote legitimate transnational trade and exchange.
  I would like to commend the Mexican Government under the leadership 
of President Felipe Calderon for having significantly increased their 
efforts to stop the drug cartels and end the violence, deploying some 
45,000 troops and 5,000 police throughout Mexico. We in the U.S. will 
continue to support the Mexican Government as we did in 2008 when over 
$1,300,000,000 was appropriated to the Mexican Government to fight the 
illicit drug trade. This money was appropriated under the Merida 
Initiative to help break the power of the drug cartels, assist the 
Mexican Government in strengthening its military organizations, to help 
improve the capacity of its justice system, curtail gang activity in 
Mexico, and to diminish demand for drugs in the region
  It is important that we continue to work vigilantly towards breaking 
the illicit drug trade links and networks between the U.S. and Mexico 
while working together to create a bright future through legitimate 
commercial and financial trade between our two great nations. I am 
quite confident that through a concerted effort towards increasing 
transnational trade and creating opportunities in the legitimate sector 
we can work towards a brighter future for both the U.S. and Mexico.
  I ask that my colleagues support this resolution. I also ask my 
colleagues for their continued support of anti-drug trade measures as 
well as their support for ending the spate of violence that has become 
associated with the drug trade.
  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1032, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Expressing 
the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should 
continue to assist the Government of Mexico in fighting the drug 
cartels and curbing violence against Mexican and United States 
citizens, both in the United States and abroad.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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