[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5894]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   UNJUST PROSECUTION AND IMPRISONMENT OF U.S. BORDER PATROL AGENTS 
                           COMPEAN AND RAMOS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, today is day 453 of a 
terrible injustice in America. Two U.S. border agents, Agents Compean 
and Ramos, have been languishing in Federal prison since January 17 of 
2007. These men did their job to protect our Nation from an illegal 
alien, a Mexican drug smuggler who brought $1 million worth of 
marijuana across our border into Texas. Yet through a questionable 
prosecution, these two men were convicted for defending themselves and 
defending our border.
  It is a sad day that such a travesty of justice could happen to two 
Hispanic Americans who loved America so much that they were willing to 
become law enforcement officers, and in this case Border Patrol agents, 
in order to protect America. Despite the efforts of the American people 
and Members of Congress, who have brought this to the attention of the 
White House, nothing, and I say nothing, has been done to reverse this 
injustice.
  While outside groups and Members of Congress have filed court briefs 
to support these agents, we still anxiously await a decision in their 
appeal. The more time these men spend in prison and the longer it takes 
for a decision on their appeal, the more frustrated the American people 
become.
  The American people have not forgotten agents Ramos and Compean. From 
time to time, I still hear from constituents who are frustrated that 
these men are still in prison. The only glimmer of hope for these 
agents and their families rests with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals 
in New Orleans. During an oral argument on December 3, 2007, one of the 
judges considering the case, Judge E. Grady Jolly said, and I quote, 
Madam Speaker, and this is his quote, ``It does seem to me that the 
government overreacted here. For some reason, this one got out of 
hand.'' That is a Federal judge that made that comment.
  A ruling on their appeal is now expected any day, and millions of 
Americans are hopeful that the Court of Appeals will reverse this 
terrible injustice.
  Madam Speaker, I still call on Chairman John Conyers to hold a 
hearing to review this unjust prosecution some time before the end of 
the year. Chairman Conyers is a fair-minded person for whom I have 
great respect. Justice is crying out for his help.
  And Madam Speaker, before I close, I want the Ramos and Compean 
families to know that there are those in both parties in this House of 
Representatives that are not going to sit back and wait until this 
injustice is corrected because these two border agents deserve nothing 
but praise for what they have done for this great Nation.

                          ____________________