[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 165 (Friday, October 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FLETC ARTESIA 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

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                       HON. XOCHITL TORRES SMALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 18, 2019

  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, today, October 18, 
2019 marks the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Office 
of Artesia Operation's 30-year anniversary. On September 22, 1988, 
President Ronald Reagan signed the Treasury, Postal Service and General 
Government Appropriations Act, House Resolution 4775, to grant the 
purchase, renovation, and adaptation of a former college campus in 
Artesia, New Mexico, as a facility of FLETC. The following year, FLETC-
Artesia was officially established as a Training Delivery Point. Today, 
Artesia, New Mexico, is the second largest FLETC site in terms of 
workload, and largest in square miles housing up to 1,800 students at 
any time.
  FLETC-Artesia's role in keeping the country safe cannot be 
understated. For the last three decades, it has remained committed to 
preparing the federal law enforcement community through strategic 
partnerships in accordance with a mission to safeguard the American 
people, our country, and our values. FLETC-Artesia has played a 
critical role in the initial training of law enforcement officers on 
the front line--including those joining United States Border Patrol, 
the Federal Air Marshals and Federal Flight Deck Officers. The Artesia 
campus is also home to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Police 
Academy, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Memorial, which honors the 
service and sacrifice of those who have died in the line of duty.
  Since Congress authorized FLETC to purchase, rehabilitate, and expand 
the site in 1989, over one million officers and agents have been 
trained. More recently, in fiscal year 2018, FLETC Artesia trained just 
under 4,000 students.
  As a witness to the work that FLETC's Artesia location executes, I am 
honored to recognize the full extent of FLETC's work, including the 
diversity and extensiveness of the trainings and the collaboration 
required for both local and global impact. The commitment to delivering 
the quality training agents and officers need to successfully do their 
jobs, protect our communities, and protect themselves is clear.
  Law enforcement from across the country and the world travel to 
Artesia, New Mexico to learn from FLETC's expertise. I am grateful for 
FLETC's work to serve New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District and our 
country. FLETC is a cornerstone of our community, and we celebrate its 
work and impact on FLETC-Artestia's 30-year anniversary.

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