[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 705--RECOGNIZING MAY 28, 2024, AS THE 100TH 
ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. BORDER PATROL AND COMMENDING THE SERVICE OF THE 
             U.S. BORDER PATROL TO THE UNITED STATES PEOPLE

  Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. Cruz, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Tester, Mr. 
Tillis, Mr. Risch, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Manchin, 
Mr. Daines, Ms. Collins, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. King, Ms. Cortez 
Masto, Mr. Graham, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Budd, and Mr. 
Peters) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:

                              S. Res. 705

       Whereas the Mounted Guard was assigned to the Immigration 
     Service under the Department of Commerce and Labor from 1904 
     to 1924;
       Whereas the founding members of this Mounted Guard included 
     Texas Rangers, sheriffs, and deputized cowboys who patrolled 
     the Texas frontier looking for smugglers, rustlers, and 
     people illegally entering the United States;
       Whereas, following the Department of Labor Appropriation 
     Act of May 28, 1924, the Border Patrol was established within 
     the Bureau of Immigration, with an initial force of 450 
     patrol inspectors, an annual budget of $1,000,000, and $1,300 
     in annual pay for each patrol inspector, with each patrolman 
     furnishing his own horse;
       Whereas changes regarding illegal immigration and increases 
     of contraband alcohol traffic brought about the need for this 
     young patrol force to have formal training in border 
     enforcement;
       Whereas, during the U.S. Border Patrol's 100-year history, 
     Border Patrol agents have been deputized as United States 
     Marshals on numerous occasions;
       Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol's highly trained and 
     motivated personnel have also assisted in controlling civil 
     disturbances, performing national security details, aided in 
     foreign training and assessments, and responded with security 
     and humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of numerous 
     natural disasters;
       Whereas the present force of over 19,000 agents and 3,000 
     professional staff, located in 129 stations and 35 permanent 
     checkpoints under 22 sectors, is responsible for protecting 
     more than 8,000 miles of international land and water 
     boundaries;
       Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol has also been assigned 
     additional interdiction duties, and is the primary agency 
     responsible for drug interdiction between ports of entry;
       Whereas Border Patrol agents have a dual role of protecting 
     the borders and enforcing immigration laws in a fair and 
     humane manner; and
       Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol has a historic mission of 
     firm commitment to the enforcement of immigration laws, but 
     also one fraught with danger, as illustrated by the fact that 
     155 Border Patrol agents and pilots have lost their lives in 
     the line of duty: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border 
     Patrol on May 28, 2024;
       (2) applauds the significant achievements of the U.S. 
     Border Patrol;
       (3) commends the tens of thousands of men and women who 
     have served in the ranks of the U.S. Border Patrol;
       (4) remembers the 155 agents and pilots who have lost their 
     lives in the performance of their duties; and
       (5) offers its support for policies to improve the working 
     conditions, hiring processes, and retention of Border Patrol 
     agents.

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