[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 10, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H1238-H1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR ENRIQUE ``KIKI'' CAMARENA

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1115) expressing appreciation for the profound 
dedication and public service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena on the 25th 
anniversary of his death.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1115

       Whereas in March 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration 
     (DEA) Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena made the 
     ultimate sacrifice in the fight against illicit drugs;
       Whereas Special Agent Camarena, an 11-year veteran special 
     agent of the DEA, was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in 
     the line of duty;
       Whereas Special Agent Camarena joined the DEA in June 1974 
     as an agent with the Calexico, California, District Office;
       Whereas Special Agent Camarena was assigned to the Fresno 
     District Office in September 1977, and transferred to the 
     Guadalajara Resident Office in July 1981;
       Whereas, on February 7, 1985, when leaving the Guadalajara 
     Resident Office to join his wife Geneva for lunch, Special 
     Agent Camarena was surrounded by 5 armed men, forced into a 
     vehicle and taken away;
       Whereas the body of Special Agent Camarena was discovered 
     on March 5, 1985, on a ranch approximately 60 miles southeast 
     of Guadalajara, Mexico;
       Whereas to date, 22 individuals have been indicted in Los 
     Angeles, California, for their roles in the Camarena murder, 
     including former high ranking Mexican Government officials, 
     cartel drug lords, lieutenants, and soldiers;
       Whereas of the 22 individuals indicted in Los Angeles, 8 
     have been convicted and are imprisoned in the United States, 
     6 have been incarcerated in Mexico and considered fugitives 
     as a result of outstanding warrants in the United States, 4 
     are believed deceased, 1 was acquitted at trial, and 3 remain 
     fugitives believed to be residing in Mexico;
       Whereas an additional 25 individuals were arrested, 
     convicted, and imprisoned in Mexico for their involvement in 
     the Camarena murder;
       Whereas the men and women of the DEA will continue to seek 
     justice for the murder of Special Agent Camarena;
       Whereas fugitives Guillermo Chavez-Sanchez and Ricardo 
     Chavez-Sanchez are still wanted as hostile material witnesses 
     in Los Angeles, California;
       Whereas during his 11-year career with the DEA, Special 
     Agent Camarena received 2 Sustained Superior Performance 
     Awards, a Special Achievement Award and, posthumously, the 
     Administrator's Award of Honor, the highest award granted by 
     DEA;
       Whereas prior to joining the DEA, Special Agent Camarena 
     served 2 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as serving 
     as a fireman in Calexico, a police investigator, and a 
     narcotics investigator for the Imperial County Sheriff 
     Coroner;
       Whereas Red Ribbon Week, nationally recognized since 1988 
     and now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the 
     Nation, reaching millions of young people each year and 
     celebrated annually from October 23 to 31, was established to 
     help preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the 
     cause for which he gave his life, the fight against drug 
     crime and addiction; and
       Whereas Special Agent Camarena will be remembered as an 
     honorable public servant, his sacrifice should also be a 
     reminder every October during Red Ribbon Week of the dangers 
     associated with drug use and trafficking: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses appreciation for the profound dedication and 
     public service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena on the 25th 
     anniversary of his death;
       (2) offers its deepest sympathy and appreciation to his 
     wife, Geneva, his three children, Enrique, Daniel, and Erik, 
     and to the entire family, friends, and former colleagues of 
     the Drug Enforcement Administration;
       (3) encourages communities and organizations throughout the 
     United States to commemorate the sacrifice of Special Agent 
     Camarena through the promotion of drug-free communities and 
     participation in drug prevention activities to support 
     healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles; and
       (4) directs the Clerk of the House to transmit a copy of 
     this resolution to the family of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COHEN. 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 Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1115 expresses appreciation for the 
profound dedication and public service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena on 
the 25th anniversary of his passing.
  On February 7, 1985, Special Agent Enrique Camarena, known to his 
friends as Kiki, left the American consulate in Guadalajara to meet his 
wife, Mika, for lunch. As Kiki walked to his truck, he was approached 
by five men who kidnapped him and sped away. He was found dead on March 
5, 1985, after being tortured and brutally beaten by his captors. Kiki 
was 37 years of age--survived by his wife and three children, Enrique, 
Daniel, and Erik.
  During his 11 years with the DEA, Kiki received two Sustained 
Superior Performance Awards and a Special Achievement Award as well. He 
also received posthumously the Administrator's Award of Honor, the 
highest award granted by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
  Mr. Camarena was born on July 26, 1947, in Mexicali, Mexico. He 
graduated from Calexico High School in Calexico, California, in 1966. 
In 1968, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and after serving 2 years, he 
joined the Calexico Police Department as a criminal investigator in 
1970.
  In May 1973, he started working as a narcotics investigator with the 
El Centro Police Department. He stayed there until 1974, when he joined 
the DEA.
  His first assignment as a special agent with DEA was in Calexico, 
California. In 1977, he was reassigned to the Fresno district office in 
northern California. After working in the Fresno office, he was later 
assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, DEA office for 4\1/2\ years and 
worked undercover on the trail of the country's biggest marijuana and 
cocaine traffickers. Before being kidnapped, Kiki was extremely close 
to unlocking a multibillion-dollar drug pipeline.
  Officer Camarena gave his life in the fight against drug traffickers, 
and after his death, many people wanted to do something to remember the 
ultimate sacrifice he made. Soon after his death, people everywhere 
started wearing red ribbons to symbolize their commitment to help 
reduce the demand for drugs in their communities. The act of wearing 
red ribbons took on national significance and grew into what is now 
known as the Red Ribbon Campaign. During Red Ribbon Week, Kiki is 
remembered as a man who wanted to make a difference in the war on 
drugs, and his legacy still lives on.
  In honor of Kiki Camarena's legacy and in recognition of the 25th 
anniversary of his death, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
H. Res. 1115.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H1239]]

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise in support of H. 
Res. 1115, honoring the legacy of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena on the 25th 
anniversary of his murder.
  Words are not sufficient to express the debt that our country owes to 
Special Agent Camarena and to his family. His life of selfless service, 
courage of conviction, and dedication to protecting the American people 
will be remembered in our hearts and minds forever.
  Twenty-five years ago, Agent Camarena gave his life in the line of 
duty after he was abducted. He was tortured and eventually was 
murdered. Agent Camarena was working undercover as a DEA special agent 
gaining valuable intelligence and evidence against Mexican drug cartels 
when he was kidnapped in broad daylight on a street in Guadalajara, 
Mexico. It is believed that he was tortured for around 2 days, and 
eventually he was bludgeoned to death.
  We honor his life, we mourn his death, and we renew our commitment to 
ensure that his legacy is never forgotten.
  When asked why he wanted to be a DEA agent, Special Agent Camarena 
replied, ``Even if I am only one person, I can make a difference.'' 
Thousands of individuals across our Nation can attest to the difference 
he has made in their lives.
  Every day and every night, law enforcement officers across this 
Nation go to work aware of the dangers they face. These brave men and 
brave women put their lives at risk so the rest of us can sleep better 
at night and live safer lives. As we go about our daily lives, as we 
sleep in the safety of our homes, these individuals fight against the 
violence that threatens our neighborhoods, our communities, and our 
loved ones. And much of that violence is drug related.
  I stand before the House today with heartfelt gratitude for every law 
enforcement officer who serves the communities throughout this country, 
and especially for those who have given their lives in the line of duty 
for the rest of us.
  As we take a moment to pause and reflect on the heroic life and 
tragic death of this individual, the drug cartels continue. They 
continue to wage war on our borders and threaten the safety of so many 
people, and they do so all in the name of money. Yet they will soon 
come to learn that our pursuit of justice will not waiver and it will 
not weaken just because they continue their criminal enterprises north 
and south of our borders.
  To the family of Special Agent Camarena, we share in their grief and 
we will ensure that his legacy lives on. We will relentlessly fight 
against the drug cartels and the border violence that they have caused. 
We want to thank this family for sharing with our country a man who 
truly is an American hero.
  To the individuals who continue to pursue those who abducted and 
tortured and murdered Special Agent Camarena, we thank them, we support 
them, and we have committed to those individuals that we will not rest 
until the perpetrators are brought to justice and tried for their evil 
deeds.
  To our Nation's law enforcement officers, we thank them for risking 
their lives each day to protect our lives and the lives of our loved 
ones. Their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families shall 
always be remembered. Across our Nation, there are countless stories of 
men and women who have given their time, their resources, and their 
lives to protect and defend America.
  Although we each have only one life to live, Special Agent Kiki 
Camarena has shown us the difference that one individual can make. 
Although we remember Special Agent Camarena's tragic death today, I am 
encouraged by his life and the lives of so many who have dedicated 
themselves to public service. Without the sacrifices of these brave men 
and women, America would not be what we are today. I urge my colleagues 
to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Johnson) will control the time.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Hunter), the sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, a great 
prosecutor and judge in his own right.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all familiar with the dangerous duties undertaken 
by the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration. 
Oftentimes, their accomplishments go unnoticed, but these agents 
continue making significant contributions to the seemingly unending 
effort to protect our communities from drug crime and addiction.
  This is a responsibility that DEA agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena 
took seriously over the course of his career in law enforcement. It was 
25 years ago this March that agent Camarena's body was discovered after 
he was kidnapped by armed men in front of the U.S. consulate in 
Guadalajara, Mexico. He had been severely tortured by his captors. More 
than two dozen people, including Mexican Government officials, cartel 
leaders, and associates were convicted for Agent Camarena's murder. 
Still, his memory has not been forgotten.
  The circumstances surrounding his death are a vivid reminder of the 
violence and danger attributable to illegal drugs, whether it is 
directly along our borders, in our neighborhoods, or within the homes 
of families facing the struggles of addiction.
  Today, Agent Camarena is perhaps the best-known hero of the war on 
drugs, and his story continues to inspire millions of Americans to lead 
drug-free lives. In fact, shortly after his death, Camarena Clubs were 
launched throughout southern California. Hundreds of club members wore 
red ribbons and pledged to lead drug-free lives in honor of Agent 
Camarena and others who gave their lives for the same purpose. In 1985, 
club members presented a proclamation to First Lady Nancy Reagan which 
brought the club national recognition, and ultimately prompted 
thousands of schools, communities, and States to recognize Red Ribbon 
Week, now celebrated during the last week of October.

                              {time}  1200

  So on this anniversary of Agent Camarena's death, let us take time to 
honor the contribution and profound dedication and public service of 
Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena on the 25th anniversary of his death.
  I would like to offer my deepest sympathy and appreciation to his 
wife, Geneva, and his three children--Enrique, who is a prosecutor, 
Daniel and Erik--and the entire family, friends, and former colleagues 
at the Drug Enforcement Administration.
  It is important that we focus on securing and enforcing our southern 
border so that these past sacrifices and future endeavors by those in 
the DEA are not in vain. Mr. Speaker, we in San Diego are honored to be 
home to this legacy of ``Kiki'' Camarena and his family.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the special agents that work in the Drug Enforcement 
Administration, the DEA, are special agents indeed. Many times they 
work alone, they work deep undercover, they work not only in the United 
States, but in foreign countries, and they work for the sole purpose of 
trying to capture those outlaws who are in the drug business, who, in 
the name of money, try to sell their wares and profit on that illegal 
enterprise. They are an international crime cartel syndicate. Our DEA 
agents do a wonderful job. We sometimes forget the work that they do. 
This is just one of many who have worked and dedicated their lives to 
helping protect the rest of us.
  As my friend from California (Mr. Hunter) has pointed out, much of 
this violence occurs on our borders because the drug cartels operate on 
international borders, on our border with Mexico especially. Because 
the drug cartels, in the name of money, are very violent, they are well 
armed, they are well financed, and they will do anything in their 
relentless effort to bring drugs into the United States.
  We need to be aware that they have committed a war against the United 
States and all people who oppose their

[[Page H1240]]

activities. And so it is quite appropriate that today we honor and 
commemorate the life of one of those special agents who gave his life 
trying to protect us from the drug cartels.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud original cosponsor of H. 
Res. 1115.
  As my colleagues have explained, this resolution recognizes the life 
and public service of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special 
Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena.
  On February 7, 1985, Special Agent Camarena was on his way to meet 
his wife for lunch when he was kidnapped outside the U.S. Consulate in 
Guadalajara, Mexico by five armed men.
  Almost a month later, his body was discovered on a ranch nearly 50 
miles away, brutally murdered by the same kind of violent drug 
traffickers he had dedicated his life to fighting.
  This month marks 25 years since that fateful day.
  As an 11-year veteran of the DEA, Special Agent Camarena received two 
Sustained Superior Performance Awards, a Special Achievement Award and, 
posthumously, the Administrator's Award of Honor, the highest award 
granted by DEA.
  Prior to joining the DEA, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, as a 
fireman, a police investigator, and a narcotics investigator.
  Special Agent Camarena was deeply committed to public service 
throughout his life.
  In honor of his memory, each October, thousands of schools, 
communities, and state and local drug abuse prevention organizations 
celebrate Red Ribbon Week.
  Further, the anniversary of Special Agent Camarena's death reminds us 
of the importance of continuing the close cooperation between the 
United States and Mexico in fighting the narcotraffickers.
  The Merida Initiative, a partnership between the Government of Mexico 
and the United States, has been successful in presenting new 
opportunities for expert collaboration on these fronts.
  Through operations such as Operation Firewall and Operation Panama 
Express, the DEA and Mexican law enforcement authorities are 
dismantling drug cartels and seizing tons of illegal drugs destined for 
America's streets.
  I am sure that Special Agent Camarena would have been pleased to see 
how far we have come.
  Again, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important 
measure in honor of Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena and his 
dedication to public service.
  My most sincere thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Geneva, his 
sons Enrique, Daniel, and Erik, and his entire family.
  I thank Congressman Hunter for introducing this important measure.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of House Resolution 1115, which honors the profound dedication and 
public service of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena on the 25th anniversary of 
his untimely death.
  Mr. Camarena led an exemplary life of service to his community and 
his nation. As a member of the Marine Corps, fire fighter, police 
officer, and DEA special agent, he demonstrated an extreme passion for 
fighting crime and eliminating drugs to ensure the safety and well-
being of our communities. He led a commendable 11-year career at the 
Drug Enforcement Administration earning him the distinguished 
Administrator's Award of Honor.
  In February 1985, Mr. Camarena lost his life in the line of duty. I 
had the opportunity to attend a memorial for Mr. Camarena and witness 
the impact his sacrifice made and hear from some of the many lives he 
touched. I am glad that twenty-five years after this tragedy, his 
passion and spirit still live on. His commitment to fighting drugs 
inspired millions of people around the world to live drug-free lives. 
We must continue to honor this legacy by promoting drug-free 
communities and supporting healthy drug-free lifestyles.
  Again, I would like to express my appreciation for the outstanding 
service Mr. Camarena provided for this nation and offer my support and 
deepest condolences to his wife, children, and to the entire family, 
friends, and former colleagues at the Drug Enforcement Administration.
  Mr. POE of Texas. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Salazar). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1115.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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