[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE U.S. BORDER PATROL'S SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. HENRY BONILLA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 10, 1999

  Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation 
``recognizing the United States Border Patrol's 75 years of service 
since its founding.''
  I have nearly 800 miles of the Texas-Mexico border in my 
congressional district. I know all too well the extent to which Border 
Patrol agents meet the daily challenge of keeping our borders safe and 
curbing the flow of illegal aliens and drugs into the United States 
with courage, patience and sheer tenacity. They go out every day and 
fight to keep our borders and our border residents safe.
  Our Border Patrol field agents are the best in the business. It is an 
ongoing battle to keep our borders safe, drug-free and crime free. The 
Border Patrol is faced with carrying out a tremendous task with 
limited, often outdated and failing resources. Yet, every day they go 
out to defend our borders. The brave men and women of the Border Patrol 
put their lives on the line for us. Those of us in border communities 
know what a crucial role the Border Patrol plays in protecting our 
borders daily.
  As a Texan I take pride in recognizing the fact that the founding 
members of the Border Patrol included Texas Rangers, sheriffs and 
deputized cowboys who patrolled the Texas frontier during the late 
1800s and the early 1900s.
  I am honored to support this legislation which honors our Border 
Patrol personnel who serve this nation in defending our borders.

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