[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 1944-1947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE OF SENIOR BORDER PATROL AGENT LUIS A. AGUILAR

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 954) honoring the life of senior 
Border Patrol agent Luis A. Aguilar, who lost his life in the line of 
duty near Yuma, Arizona, on January 19, 2008, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 954

       Whereas Luis Aguilar was born in El Paso, Texas, on 
     November 26, 1976, to Luis Aguilar and Cecilia G. Silva;
       Whereas Luis Aguilar resided in Somerton, Arizona, and is 
     survived by his mother and father, his wife, Erica Aguilar, 
     his two children, Luis and Arianna, his brother, senior 
     Border Patrol agent Marco Antonio Aguilar, and his sister, 
     Angie Aguilar;
       Whereas Luis Aguilar joined the United States Border Patrol 
     on July 21, 2002;
       Whereas on January 19, 2008, after over 5 years of 
     dedicated service in the United States Border Patrol, Luis 
     Aguilar selflessly paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to 
     the United States;
       Whereas Border Patrol agents carry out the vital role of 
     protecting our Nation's borders and ensuring the safety of 
     the United States;
       Whereas Border Patrol agents work devotedly and selflessly 
     on behalf of the people of the United States, without regard 
     for the peril or danger to themselves; and
       Whereas the United States will forever be grateful for the 
     service of Luis Aguilar and mourn his loss: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the dedication and sacrifice made by the men 
     and women who have lost their lives while serving as United 
     States Border Patrol agents;
       (2) honors Luis Aguilar for his service as a Border Patrol 
     agent and for his sacrifice to the United States; and
       (3) extends its deepest condolences to the family of Luis 
     Aguilar.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David 
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.


                             General Leave

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on this resolution and include therein any 
extraneous material.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Mississippi?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 954, 
honoring senior Border Patrol agent Luis A. Aguilar, who lost his life 
in the line of duty near Yuma, Arizona, on January 19, 2008.
  I would also like to thank Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, a member of the 
Committee on Homeland Security, for introducing this important 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, on January 19, 2008, Agent Aguilar was working with 
fellow Border Patrol agents to secure a suspected narcotics smuggler in 
the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area when he was struck and killed 
by the suspected smuggler's vehicle as it fled into Mexico.
  A native of El Paso, Texas, Agent Aguilar had been assigned to the 
Yuma Border Patrol station since joining the Border Patrol in July 
2002. He was just 32 years old at the time of his death.
  Agent Aguilar is survived by his wife, Erica; his children, Luis and 
Arianna; his father, Luis Aguilar, Sr.; his sister, Angie; and his 
Border Patrol brother, senior Border Patrol agent, Marco Antonio 
Aguilar.
  Sadly, Mr. Speaker, Agent Aguilar's mother, Cecilia Silva, recently 
passed away after her son's tragic death.
  We're here to honor Agent Aguilar, a young man who's made the 
ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereign borders of the United 
States and make America more secure.
  The mission of the U.S. Border Patrol is to control the nearly 6,000 
miles of land border between ports of entry with Mexico and Canada, and 
the coastal waters around Florida and Puerto Rico.
  The death of Agent Aguilar serves as a stark reminder of the risks 
our front-line agents and officers face each day as they serve as the 
guardians of our Nation's land borders.
  As chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I've been to the 
southern border on a number of occasions.

[[Page 1945]]

I've witnessed firsthand the dedication of the men and women of the 
U.S. Border Patrol, often under difficult and dangerous conditions. 
They work long hours, often late into the night, in extreme heat and 
cold.
  Like Agent Aguilar, they are our Nation's last line of defense 
against would-be terrorists, drug traffickers and others who would seek 
to enter this Nation illegally. Agent Aguilar's contribution to our 
Nation's security deserves this recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring senior Border 
Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar in his service to our Nation, and offer my 
deepest condolences to the family.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  It is with great sorrow and profound gratitude that I rise to support 
this resolution to honor the life and service of senior Border Patrol 
guard Luis Aguilar, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on 
January 19, 2008. He died after being struck by a vehicle driven by a 
suspected smuggler in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area of 
California.
  The work of a Border Patrol agent is inherently dangerous. In the 
normal course of their work, they run the risk of heat exhaustion, 
frostbite, and other challenges from the outdoor environment. Of even 
greater concern is the threat from smugglers and criminals seeking to 
illegally cross our borders who engage in violence against our Border 
Patrol agents.
  As more agents, assets, and infrastructure are placed along the 
border, criminal activity is prevented from continuing with impunity. 
The unfortunate result of gaining operational control of our borders is 
an increase in violence targeted at agents. And we have seen a 
significant spike in the past several years, with nearly 1,000 assaults 
on agents last year, ranging from rock throwing to sniper attacks and 
to murder.
  Agent Aguilar's death serves as a stark reminder of the risk our law 
enforcement agents face every day as they seek to secure our Nation's 
borders. These despicable criminal acts will only strengthen our 
resolve to secure our borders with additional agents, fencing, vehicle 
barriers, and technology. The Border Patrol plays a vital role in 
protecting America, and the sacrifices of its agents will not be 
forgotten.
  I recently conducted an overnight visit on the Southwest border and 
saw firsthand the challenges and the dangers that these agents face. I 
returned with the clear resolve to support all the tools, resources, 
infrastructure, and policies necessary to gain operational control of 
our borders.
  I would like to recognize the excellent work of U.S. law enforcement 
personnel and the Government of Mexico for tracking down and arresting 
the primary suspect in the murder of Agent Aguilar on January 22. For 
the sake of the Aguilar family, the Border Patrol and the justice for 
Agent Aguilar, I ask the Government of Mexico's continued cooperation 
and support to extradite this individual to the United States for 
trial.
  The men and women of the Border Patrol face challenges and threats 
every day with vigilance, dedication to service, and integrity as they 
work to strengthen our national security and to protect America and its 
citizens.
  I would like to once again extend my condolences to the Aguilar 
family and sincerely thank Agent Aguilar for his service to our Nation.
  I would also like to extend my condolences for the recent passing of 
Agent Aguilar's mother, Cecilia.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva).

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time, 
and let me also thank Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren for the very important 
resolution, H. Res. 954, that she introduced.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 954 and to honor the life of senior 
Border Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar who lost his life in the line of 
duty near Yuma, Arizona, on January 19 of this year. He lost his life 
on a border filled with dangers for agents who confront organized drug 
and people smugglers on a daily basis, smugglers who are prepared to go 
to great and dangerous lengths to protect their profit and to protect 
the illegal activities they are conducting on the border.
  First, let me give my condolences to Mr. Aguilar's family who gave 
the ultimate sacrifice, his wife, son, and daughter, who have lost an 
American hero. I'm proud to say that Agent Aguilar lived in Somerton, 
Arizona. He was originally from El Paso, Texas, but was raising his 
family in the district that I have the privilege to represent in this 
Congress.
  His life was devoted to this country as he served in the U.S. Border 
Patrol for more than 5 years. He protected this country and enforced 
its laws.
  For his wife, children, and family, he provided them with a great 
foundation. He was a devoted family man, actively involved in the lives 
of his children and his family, making sure that his family was first. 
Community members could always count on him being there on a T-ball or 
soccer field cheering on his children and other children.
  Luis Aguilar will be remembered as a quiet, yet strong, man who 
always had a smile on his face for his friends and family.
  Mr. Speaker, we may disagree on the nature, the content and the 
future of an immigration policy for this Nation, but there is no 
disagreement on the bravery and value of the men and women who carry 
out this policy for us. In honoring Luis Aguilar and his family, we 
honor all of them and respect them all.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 954 in memory of Luis Aguilar 
and in gratitude for his service and the service of his colleagues in 
the Border Patrol.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he 
may consume to the distinguished gentleman from California, my good 
friend, Mr. Royce.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor senior Border Patrol Agent 
Luis Aguilar. He was killed 3 weeks ago on January 19. He was 
intentionally struck by the driver of a vehicle that he was attempting 
to stop.
  And on that day, Border Patrol agents observed both a Ford pickup 
truck and a Hummer crossing illegally from Mexico into the United 
States. It was near Yuma, Arizona, and they began pursuit. The drivers 
of the two vehicles saw that the agents were following them, and they 
turned back toward the border. But as Agent Aguilar deployed spike 
strips, he was intentionally struck by the driver of that Hummer.
  His death serves for us as another stark reminder of the dangerous 
environment our Border Patrol faces every day. Violence against Border 
Patrol agents, I sadly report, is increasing in the United States. It 
has gone up 31 percent. Between 2006 and 2007, the number of incidents 
rose from 752 attacks to 987 against our Border Patrol agents. Agents 
are being assaulted with an arsenal of weaponry that includes bottles 
and knives, bats, ball bearings, steel pipes, cinder blocks, slingshots 
and vehicles.
  When I was chairman of the Subcommittee on International Terrorism 
and Nonproliferation, I held hearings down on the border, both in 
Laredo, Texas, and in San Diego, and the focus was on border 
vulnerabilities and on international terrorism. At that time, there had 
been some reports of international terrorists trying to cross that 
border.
  One thing the Border Patrol asked us for, and they said this would 
make an immediate impact on securing our borders and securing our 
Nation, they asked us for a double border fence, as was finally passed 
in the Secure Fence Act. Many Americans strongly supported that 
legislation to construct that fence to help slow illegal entry into the 
United States, and, quite frankly, they are baffled that Congress took 
such a step back from strengthening our border security, as we did

[[Page 1946]]

with that omnibus spending bill earlier this year, because that omnibus 
spending bill gutted the Secure Fence Act. The Secure Fence Act 
required double fencing. It would put a fence where it was needed most, 
in areas that have the highest instances of drug smuggling, of human 
smuggling, and of gang activity.
  The omnibus bill that we passed here, that I opposed, removed the 
two-tier requirement and the list of locations. It also put up numerous 
bureaucratic and legal hurdles to undermine the fence's completion. 
It's past time we strengthen operational control of our borders. We 
need to use every tool available to give the Border Patrol the support 
they need to help protect Border Patrol agents as they requested.
  Again, I just want to recognize the service of Agent Luis Aguilar, 
killed in the line of duty.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers at 
this time, and I am prepared to close if Mr. Davis is prepared, also.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. I have another speaker, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my good friend, Mr. Bilbray, from 
California.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, Agent Aguilar, like myself, was born and 
raised on the border. He knew the challenges that faced the border. He 
understood the risks, and sadly, his life, as documented, was the price 
he paid for out-of-control borders.
  I just hope that everyone today, when they vote on this bill and 
support this bill, recognizes that for all too long Border Patrol 
agents have not only faced the threat of life-and-death situations 
along the border while they're enforcing our laws, protecting our 
neighborhoods, and protecting the lives of illegal immigrants crossing 
the border every day. A story that's not told enough about when 
somebody crossing the border illegally needs to be saved while they're 
dying in the desert, drowning in rivers, being attacked by coyotes, 
it's the Border Patrol agents who are the last straw of survival for so 
many of these illegals.
  Border Patrol Aguilar proved his loyalty to America with his life, 
and sadly, I just ask all of us to remember that there are Aguilars up 
and down the border, north and south, all over this country, doing a 
tough job and, frankly, not getting very much credit, in fact, getting 
attacked personally and viciously just because they're doing the tough 
job that the American people want.
  I just hope that we understand that our job today is to recognize the 
sacrifice of the Aguilar family and remember that when Mrs. Aguilar 
passed away after finding out about her son, I'm sure she would want to 
send a message of do what you can, Congress, to make sure my other son 
is safe, protected, and well-provided for in his duties of serving the 
American people.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I'd ask that we recognize the service of not only 
Agent Aguilar but his mother, his brother, and his entire family, and 
by doing that, let's be brave enough to send them the resources, both 
in physical equipment and in the proper laws, that the Border Patrol 
agents have been asking us to do for a long time so that they do not 
have to continue to function in this killing zone that we call the 
border area.
  And so I ask strongly the Democrats and Republicans to join together 
and let's do what we can to avoid this situation in the future. That 
may mean taking some hits from our friends about building fences or 
cracking down on illegal employers, doing all those things that we have 
not done enough in the past, and that, Mr. Speaker, would truly be a 
good recognition of the service of Agent Aguilar and an appropriate 
memorial by this Congress.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, might I inquire as to the 
time remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Mississippi has 15 
minutes. The gentleman from Tennessee has 10\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Thank you very much. I continue to 
reserve, Mr. Speaker. I have no other speakers.
  Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to close, I 
want to again thank the Aguilar family and pass on the American 
people's condolences to the Aguilar family. I want to thank his fellow 
Border Patrol agents who are willing to protect our freedoms each and 
every day, and I would like to urge my colleagues in support of this 
resolution this afternoon.
  With that, I yield back the remainder of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution to recognize the life of senior Agent Luis Aguilar. The loss 
of Agent Aguilar not only leaves a big hole in the Border Patrol 
organization but in the lives of his family.
  I'd like to express again my sincere condolences and urge passage of 
this important resolution.
   Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 954, a 
resolution honoring the life and career of Senior Border Patrol Agent 
Luis A. Aguilar who on January 19, 2008 lost his life at the young age 
of 32 in the line of duty near Yuma, Arizona.
  A native of my district of El Paso, Texas, Agent Aguilar began his 
career with the United States Border Patrol on July 21, 2002 after 
attending the 519th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. Upon 
graduation, Agent Aguilar was assigned to the Yuma Border Patrol Sector 
in Arizona.
  On the day of Aguilar's tragic death, he was trying to deflate the 
tires of a Hummer being driven by a suspected narcotics smuggler who 
was attempting to flee back to Mexico across the Imperial Sand Dunes. 
The suspect accelerated while swerving and struck Agent Aguilar who was 
unable to move from the path of the vehicle. Injuries sustained by the 
impact caused the tragic loss of Agent Aguilar.
  Chief Border Patrol Agent Chief David V. Aguilar posthumously awarded 
Agent Aguilar the Border Patrol's Purple Cross. This medal is one of 
the highest honors bestowed on an agent and is awarded to those who 
have sustained life-threatening injuries or have been killed in the 
line of duty.
  I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Erica and his children, 
Luis and Arianna. I would also like to ask that the House take a moment 
to morn the loss of Agent Aguilar's mother, Cecilia Silva, who just 
last week lost her fight with cancer. To his father, Luis Aguilar, your 
son was a hero in my eyes and the eyes of many across the nation.
  Agent Aguilar committed his life to his job, and his family showed 
immense courage in supporting him and his mission. As a former Border 
Patrol agent myself, I know firsthand the dangers that an agent faces 
while protecting America's frontlines. Aguilar's dedication to his 
nation should be acknowledged, and today I ask my colleagues to join me 
in honoring Agent Aguilar for his service.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 954, honoring the life of senior border patrol agent Luis A. 
Aguilar, who lost his life in the line of duty near Yuma, Arizona. 
Agent Aguilar's death serves as another stark reminder of the risks our 
front-line agents and officers face each day.
  Aguilar was trying to place spike strips in the path of two vehicles 
believed to have illegally entered the country from Mexico when one of 
the vehicles hit him. Both vehicles drove back across the border into 
Mexico. After over 5 years of dedicated service in the United States 
Border Patrol, Luis Aguilar selflessly paid the ultimate sacrifice in 
service to the United States.
  The fatal incident occurred about 20 miles west of Yuma in the 
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area near Andrade, California, just over 
the California state line from Arizona. This area is frequently used by 
smugglers carrying people or drugs. A half hour earlier agents had seen 
a brown Hummer and a red Ford F-250 pickup crossing from Mexico into 
the United States. The vehicles traveled west on Interstate 8, and the 
vehicles turned around, heading back the way they had come with the 
Border Patrol in pursuit.
  Luis Aguilar resided in Somerton, Arizona, and is survived by his 
mother and father, his wife, Erica Aguilar, his two children, Luis and 
Ariana, his brother, senior Border Patrol agent Marco Antonio Aguilar, 
and his sister, Angie Aguila.
  Border Patrol agents carry out the vital role of protecting our 
Nation's borders and ensuring the safety of the United States. Agents 
work devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of the United 
States, without regard for the peril or danger to themselves; and the 
United States will forever be grateful for the service of Luis Aguilar 
and mourn his loss.

[[Page 1947]]

  I recognize the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and woman 
who have lost their lives while serving as United States Border Patrol 
agents. I honor Luis Aguilar for his service as a Border Patrol agent 
and for his sacrifice to the United States and extend my deepest 
condolences to the family of Luis Aguilar.
  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, although we sometimes 
disagree in the debate over broader immigration policy, we all agree on 
one thing--that we should recognize and honor the brave Border Patrol 
agents who risk their lives every day on our border.
  Day in and day out, in often harsh conditions over unforgiving 
terrain, they seek to protect our borders, save from death those 
economic migrants lost in the desert, and protect our country. They 
often do battle with drug smugglers and human traffickers who have no 
respect for authority--or even life. Yet rarely are these agents 
recognized for their courage or their sacrifice.
  Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a tragedy for us to publicly 
recognize the selfless contributions that these Americans make for 
their country on a daily basis.
  In this case, that tragedy is the death of Luis Aguilar, a Senior 
Border Patrol agent who lost his life in the line of duty while trying 
to apprehend suspected drug smugglers near Yuma, Arizona on January 19, 
2008.
  Agent Aguilar leaves behind his loving wife, Erica; his two children, 
Luis and Arianna; his brother, Marco Antonio, also a Senior Border 
Patrol agent; his sister, Angie; and his parents, Luis Aguilar and 
Cecilia Silva. They have all paid a heavy price for the service Luis 
Aguilar gave to protect this great Nation.
  Today we honor Agent Aguilar and all of the other Border Patrol 
agents who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We 
extend our deepest condolences to his family, as well as the families 
of all those who have fallen.
  This Nation owes a debt of gratitude to them and all of the other 
Border Patrol agents who devotedly and selflessly work to keep us safe.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
strong support of H. Res. 954, a resolution honoring Senior Border 
Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar, who recently lost his life in the line of 
duty.
  We are fortunate to have a dedicated, brave group of men and women 
working to secure America's borders. Their efforts and expertise are 
critical to the success of any border security strategy, and to 
protecting our nation from dangerous individuals and goods. As the 
chair of the House Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global 
Counterterrorism, I am familiar with the terrain, conditions, and 
challenges of the southwest border and I deeply respect and value the 
work of our Border Patrol agents.
  I am saddened to rise today to recognize the loss of one of our 
dedicated Border Patrol agents. On the morning of Saturday, January 19, 
2008, Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar lost his life in the 
line of duty as he attempted to stop a suspected drug smuggler fleeing 
through California's Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area outside Yuma, 
Arizona. We have heard that Agent Aguilar, an El Paso native and nearly 
6-year veteran of the Border Patrol, was not supposed to be working 
that day. However, he reported to work when he realized he was needed.
  Aguilar's father, a bailiff in El Paso for Judge Mary Ann Bramblett, 
said senior Agent Aguilar felt a strong commitment to his job and to 
preventing the flow of illegal drugs across our borders from reaching 
our communities and families. Judge Bramblett, who knew senior Agent 
Aguilar since he was a boy, said, ``One of the ways he felt he could 
really give back to the country was to serve in the Border Patrol. 
Serving his country and serving his family were the two most important 
things Luis had in his life.''
  Mr. Speaker, Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar gave his life 
serving our nation. I urge my colleagues to join me today in 
recognizing Agent Aguilar's extraordinary sacrifice, and in offering 
our sincere sympathy to his family, friends, and loved ones.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 954, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas 
and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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