[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2073-S2074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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     SENATE RESOLUTION 246--HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE DRUG 
    ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AGENCY

  Mr. MORAN (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 246

       Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration (referred to in 
     this preamble as the ``DEA'') was--
       (1) established on July 1, 1973 by Reorganization Plan 
     Numbered 2 of 1973 (87 Stat. 1091; 5 U.S.C. App.); and
       (2) given the responsibility to coordinate the whole of the 
     Federal Government approach related to the enforcement of the 
     Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.);
       Whereas the more than 10,000 men and women of the DEA, 
     including special agents, intelligence research specialists, 
     diversion investigators, program analysts, forensic chemists, 
     attorneys, and administrative support staff, as well as more 
     than 3,000 task force officers, representing hundreds of 
     State and local law enforcement agencies across the country--
       (1) serve the United States with courage; and
       (2) are committed to serving and protecting public safety, 
     public health, and the national security of the United States 
     from drug trafficking, drug misuse, and related violence;
       Whereas, during the 50 years since the establishment of the 
     DEA, the agency has targeted and dismantled transnational 
     drug

[[Page S2074]]

     trafficking organizations and brought to justice the most 
     dangerous and prolific drug trafficking criminals from around 
     the world;
       Whereas, throughout the 50-year history of the DEA, the 
     agency has continually adapted to evolving trends of major 
     transnational drug cartels, targeting the organizations 
     involved in the manufacturing, trafficking, and distribution 
     of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, 
     heroin, controlled prescription drugs, and other synthetic 
     opioids;
       Whereas the DEA has deployed enforcement and regulatory 
     tools and strategies to address the threat posed by new 
     synthetic opioid substances, which--
       (1) mimic the effects of known licit and illicit controlled 
     substances, including fentanyl;
       (2) are largely responsible for driving the opioid epidemic 
     that claimed the lives of more than 107,000 individuals in 
     the United States in 2021; and
       (3) present the most significant threat to public health, 
     public safety, and the national security of the United 
     States;
       Whereas, with 93 foreign offices located in 69 countries, 
     the DEA has the largest international presence of any Federal 
     law enforcement agency, facilitating--
       (1) close collaboration with international partners around 
     the world through information sharing, training, and 
     technology; and
       (2) the provision of resources that have resulted in the 
     disruption or dismantling of hundreds of transnational 
     criminal organizations around the world;
       Whereas, throughout the history of the DEA, employees and 
     members of task forces of the agency have sacrificed their 
     lives in the line of duty, including Emir Benitez, Gerald 
     Sawyer, Leslie S. Grosso, Nickolas Fragos, Mary M. Keehan, 
     Charles H. Mann, Anna Y. Mounger, Anna J. Pope, Martha D. 
     Skeels, Mary P. Sullivan, Larry D. Wallace, Ralph N. Shaw, 
     James T. Lunn, Octavio Gonzalez, Francis J. Miller, Robert C. 
     Lightfoot, Thomas J. Devine, Larry N. Carwell, Marcellus 
     Ward, Enrique S. Camarena, James A. Avant, Charles M. 
     Bassing, Kevin L. Brosch, Susan M. Hoefler, William Ramos, 
     Raymond J. Stastny, Arthur L. Cash, Terry W. McNett, George 
     M. Montoya, Paul S. Seema, Everett E. Hatcher, Rickie C. 
     Finley, Joseph T. Aversa, Wallie Howard, Jr., Eugene T. 
     McCarthy, Alan H. Winn, George D. Althouse, Becky L. 
     Dwojeski, Stephen J. Strehl, Richard E. Fass, Frank 
     Fernandez, Jr., Jay W. Seale, Meredith Thompson, Juan C. 
     Vars, Frank S. Wallace, Jr., Shelly D. Bland, Rona L. Chafey, 
     Carrol June Fields, Carrie A. Lenz, Kenneth G. McCullough, 
     Shaun E. Curl, Larry Steilen, Royce D. Tramel, Alice Faye 
     Hall-Walton, Elton Lee Armstead, Terry Loftus, Donald C. 
     Ware, Jay Balchunas, Thomas J. Byrne, Jr., Samuel Hicks, 
     Forrest N. Leamon, Chad L. Michael, Michael E. Weston, James 
     Terry Watson, Brent L. Hanger, Jorge R. DelRio, Stephen C. 
     Arnold, Michael G. Garbo, and Jody W. Cash; and
       Whereas many other DEA employees and task force officers 
     have been wounded or injured in the line of duty, including 
     79 individuals who have received the DEA Purple Heart Award: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration on 
     the occasion of its 50th anniversary;
       (2) honors the heroic dedication of the employees of the 
     Drug Enforcement Administration who have paid the ultimate 
     price and sacrificed their lives or have been wounded or 
     injured in the service of the United States; and
       (3) gives heartfelt thanks to all the men and women of the 
     Drug Enforcement Administration for their past and continued 
     efforts to protect the health and safety of the people of the 
     United States from transnational criminal networks and drugs 
     causing harm, violence, and death in the communities of the 
     United States.

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