[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 135 (Friday, October 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1695-E1696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF U.S. BORDER AGENT NICHOLAS J. IVIE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JASON CHAFFETZ

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2012

  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated Border 
Patrol Agent and American hero who died tragically while working to 
keep America's southern border secure. In the early morning hours of 
October 2, 2012, 30-year-old Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie died 
near Bisbee, Arizona, while responding to a sensor in a remote border 
region. He died in the line of duty of injuries sustained from a 
gunshot wound. We honor his service and sacrifice to the security and 
safety of the American people.
  Born in Charleston, South Carolina on October 31, 1981, Agent Ivie 
later moved to Provo, Utah, where he graduated from Timpview High 
School. He subsequently spent two years in Mexico serving as a full-
time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 
Mexico, he not only developed a fluency in Spanish, but a great love of 
the people of Mexico. He eventually became certified as a firefighter 
and EMT because he felt it was the right thing to do. At the time of 
his death, Agent Ivie was living and serving near Naco, Arizona with 
his brother Joel, who was also a Border Patrol Agent. He died in a 
beautiful place among rugged terrain which he had frequently patrolled 
on his beloved horse and companion, Mouse.
  After joining the Border Patrol's horse patrol, Agent Ivie was 
assigned a new mustang that had been captured in the wild, according to 
his brother Joel. The horse's ears were rounded because the tips had 
frozen off in the cold, so he named it Mouse. Nick loved horses and had 
a special relationship with Mouse, the horse who rode riderless in 
Ivie's 5-mile funeral procession ahead of dozens of agents on 
horseback.
  Agent Ivie was an outstanding agent and, according to his family, a 
compassionate man. He once carried a pregnant woman with bare, badly-
blistered feet for a mile and a half after she and her group of illegal 
border crossers became lost in the desert. He took his obligations to 
his family, friends and to his church, very seriously. He is remembered 
for his selflessness and his absolute commitment to family, country and 
faith. He also distinguished himself as a dedicated and accomplished 
agent who loved his job, his coworkers and his service to his fellow 
man.
  We honor the tremendous personal sacrifice of Agent Ivie's family. He 
leaves behind his wife, Christy Lyn and two daughters, 3-year-old 
Raigan and 22-month-old Presley. Those around him knew he had a deep 
love for his wife and called his daughters his pride and joy. We also 
recognize his mother, Cheryl, father, Doug, four siblings: Chris, 
Andrea, Rick and Joel, and his stepmother Donetta. Agent Ivie was the 
youngest of his five siblings.
  The United States of America is a beacon for freedom and liberty 
around the world because of the honorable and dedicated service

[[Page E1696]]

of agents like Nicholas Ivie and his brother, Joel. The Ivie family has 
endured a terrible tragedy and made an extraordinary sacrifice on 
behalf of all Americans and we are forever thankful.
  Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me as we honor the life 
and legacy of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie, as well as each man 
and woman in our Border Patrol, and all of those in harm's way 
supporting their efforts, who toil daily to secure our borders and 
maintain our safety. I also ask that we recognize the sacrifice and 
burdens these families endure in support of this great country. We owe 
them all our eternal gratitude.

                          ____________________