[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14084]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I offer these remarks in recognition 
of 35 years of excellence by the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, 
in combating organizations responsible for the flow of illicit 
narcotics into the United States. The DEA was created by Executive 
order on July 1, 1973, in order to establish a single unified command 
to conduct ``an all-out global war on the drug menace.'' DEA is 
presently mounting this global attack in 21 divisions throughout the 
United States and in 87 offices in 63 countries--the largest 
international presence of any Federal law enforcement agency.
  The mission and purpose of the DEA remain as vital today as they were 
in 1973. After months of hearings and testimony in the U.S. Senate and 
the House of Representatives, the Senate Committee on Government 
Operations issued a report in October 1973 noting among other benefits 
that the creation of DEA as a superagency would provide the momentum 
needed to coordinate all Federal efforts related to drug enforcement 
outside the Justice Department, especially the gathering of 
intelligence on international narcotics smuggling. The DEA has 
steadfastly served this Nation to that end, mounting an intelligence-
driven attack against the most notorious and ruthless international 
drug cartels and kingpins. DEA's global reach also has been a key 
component of combating terrorism, as these ideologically-motivated 
groups have been shown by DEA to fund some of their activities and 
weapons purchases through drug trafficking proceeds. The agency's re-
entry into the intelligence community in 2006 is tacit acknowledgement 
of the value of DEA to the Nation's security.
  For the past 35 years, DEA has identified, targeted, and methodically 
disrupted and dismantled the operations of those responsible for the 
illicit drug traffic. Whether it is crack and powder cocaine, 
methamphetamine, opiates, marijuana, or prescription drugs, DEA agents 
have courageously infiltrated drug trafficking organizations and 
brought to justice the most significant and despicable criminals this 
Nation has faced. The cost of this fight has been tremendous in terms 
of treasure, but no cost has been greater or more pointed than the 
price of life and suffering paid by the men and women of DEA and their 
families. Since establishment, a combination of 57 special agents, task 
force officers, and support staff have valiantly given their lives for 
the Nation in support of DEA's noble mission.
  On behalf of the citizens of Missouri, I want to remind the DEA that 
the agency is not alone in this fight. Missourians and their 
communities have stood strong against the scourge of drug trafficking 
and abuse, and our law enforcement agencies have stood shoulder to 
shoulder with the DEA. Our commitment to protecting young people from 
the inherent danger of addiction and keeping the ideal of hope strong 
is unwavering.
  I am proud to offer my congratulations to the DEA not only for its 
marked achievements, but also for its commitment to excellence. The 
agency has served as a model for interagency collaboration and 
information sharing across the Federal law enforcement community. Its 
workforce is both talented and diverse, with the most recent 
Administrator and Administrator-nominee being women. Additionally, the 
agency was ranked in the Top 20 best places to work in the Federal 
Government, placing 18 out of 222 agencies in the Partnership for 
Public Service's 2007 rankings of ``The Best Places to Work in the 
Federal Government.''

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