[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E268-E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL AGENTS 
                            ZAPATA AND AVILA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to express my 
sincere condolences about a reprehensible attack on two U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers earlier this week in 
Mexico, while driving between Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico.
  I honor the sacrifice of Special Agent Jaime J. Zapata, who lost his 
life and Special Agent Victor Avila, who is continuing to recover from 
injuries sustained during the attack.
  In 2006, Special Agent Zapata began his career with ICE in Laredo, 
Texas as part of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit and as a 
member of the Border Enforcement Security Task Force. At the time of 
his death, he was detailed to ICE's Attache office in Mexico City.
  Special Agent Zapata began his tenure at the Department of Homeland 
Security as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Yuma, Arizona. Law 
enforcement and border security were early passions for this 
Brownsville, Texas native, as he graduated from the University of Texas 
at Brownsville in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal 
Justice.
  I understand that his fellow agent, Special Agent Victor Avila, was 
injured in the attack and is now recovering in his home. My thoughts 
and prayers are with Special Agent Victor Avila, and I am hoping and 
praying for his healthy recovery.
  These agents were two of the hundreds of ICE personnel around the 
globe. Every day, committed agents like Special Agents Zapata and Avila 
collaborate with their foreign counterparts to dismantle criminal 
organizations that pose a border security and law enforcement threat to 
the United States.
  Our Nation is fortunate to have the men and women of the U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement keeping us safe and secure. Their 
bravery and dedication serve as a fine example for all Americans.
  I know the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement 
groups are working closely with the authorities in Mexico to ensure 
that the perpetrators of this attack are identified and brought to 
justice.
  To the family of Special Agent Zapata as well as his ICE brothers and 
sisters, I offer my deepest sympathies. His sacrifice in service for 
our country and your family's enormous loss are not, and will not, be 
forgotten.

[[Page E269]]

  And to Special Agent Avila, I join with my colleagues at the 
Committee on Homeland Security, to express my sincere wish for a full 
recovery and appreciation for your service to our country.

                          ____________________