[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 1224]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  APPLAUDING PRESIDENT BUSH'S COMMUTATION OF BORDER AGENTS' SENTENCES

  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. Mr. Speaker, on September 14, 2006, I first stood before 
this House to call attention to the case of two United States Border 
agents who were convicted in Federal court for shooting and wounding a 
Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our 
borders in 2005. Now, Mr. Speaker, more than 2\1/2\ years and more than 
45 speeches later, I stand before this House to thank President Bush 
for heeding the calls of the American people by commuting the sentences 
of Agents Ramos and Compean.
  The agents entered Federal prison on January 17, 2007, to begin 
serving sentences of 11 and 12 years respectively. Both men are now due 
to be released from prison on March 20, 2009, after serving 26 months.
  Like the millions of Americans who have followed the case over the 
past several years, I am so relieved to see the unjust imprisonment of 
these distinguished law enforcement officers finally come to an end. As 
these men sat in Federal prison for 2 years, my heart ached for them 
and their families. While I firmly believe that these agents never 
should have been prosecuted, I am very grateful that President Bush has 
used his authority to close this ugly chapter in their lives. I will do 
everything in my power to see that Ramos and Compean are able to 
reclaim their lives and in due time will be fully exonerated with a 
pardon.
  The prosecution and imprisonment of Agents Ramos and Compean has been 
a black mark for the United States justice system. Its legacy will not 
be forgotten by those of us in Congress who have criticized the 
indictment of these two men.
  The facts of this case have shown, as Judge E. Grady Jolly stated on 
December 3, 2007, during the agents' appeal, and I quote Judge Jolly, 
``The government overreacted here, and for some reason this one got out 
of hand.''
  The truth of why this indictment was able to move forward and get out 
of hand still deserves to be investigated. The truth of why this 
indictment was able to move forward and get out of hand still should be 
investigated. I repeat that, Mr. Speaker, because it should be 
investigated. However, it is clear that President Bush understood one 
of the most troubling aspects of this case, the agents were charged 
under a statute intended for violent criminals carrying guns, not for 
law enforcement officers acting in the line of duty. This statute, 
which carries a sentence of no less than 10 years, was enacted by 
Congress to discourage criminals from carrying guns. It was never 
intended to apply to law enforcement officers who are required to carry 
firearms on the job. This was clearly a sentence Ramos and Compean 
should never have been ordered to serve.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with the agents, 
Ramos and Compean, as they are finally able to return home to their 
families and their children. And may God continue to bless America.

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