[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 29942]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    THE UNITED STATES BORDER PATROL

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to rise as a cosponsor 
of S. Con. Res. 74, a resolution which recognizes the United States 
Border Patrol's 75 years of service to this country.
  These brave men and women serve, day in and day out, as both 
defenders and ambassadors of our nation. With professionalism, civility 
and a watchful eye, members of the United States Border Patrol watch 
out for illegal immigrants and the entry of illegal drugs.
  It is a difficult task, Mr. President. But one that our Border Patrol 
Agents perform well. And these duties are not just difficult, Mr. 
President. Oftentimes they are dangerous as well. Particularly in this 
era of well-armed thugs and smugglers, Border Patrol Agents may find 
themselves out-gunned as they protect our nation's borders. 86 Border 
Patrol Agents and Pilots have lost their lives in the line of duty--6 
in 1998 alone.
  We all owe our Border Patrol our thanks for their bravery and their 
willingness to put in long, hard hours in service to their country.
  I would like to make special note, Mr. President, of the members of 
the Detroit Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol. These fine individuals 
perform with grace in the face of very difficult assignments. In the 
Detroit sector, fewer than 20 Border Patrol field agents are expected 
to be responsible for four large Midwestern states--Michigan, Ohio, 
Indiana, and Illinois, an area covering hundreds of miles of border. 
This small number of Border Patrol agents also must assist INS 
investigators in responding to local law enforcement requests in these 
four states.
  I salute the good work of the United States Border Patrol, and 
especially thank the members of the Detroit Sector for their work above 
and beyond the call of duty.

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