[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 14417-14422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE U.S. BORDER PATROL ON ITS 85TH ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 498) honoring and 
congratulating the U.S. Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 498

       Whereas in the early 20th century, control of the border 
     was sporadic and piecemeal, and included mounted guards, 
     Texas Rangers, and military troops;
       Whereas Supervising Inspector Frank W. Bershire wrote to 
     the Commissioner-General of Immigration in 1918, ``If the 
     services of men now being drafted cannot be spared for this 
     work, it may be that the various departments vitally 
     interested would give favorable consideration to the 
     formation of an independent organization, composed of men 
     with out the draft age. The assertion is ventured that such 
     an organization, properly equipped and trained, made up of 
     seasoned men, would guard the border more effectively against 
     all forms of lawlessness than a body of soldiers of several 
     times the same number . . .'';
       Whereas the prohibition of alcohol and numerical limits 
     placed on immigration to the United States by the Immigration 
     Acts of 1921 and 1924 further exposed our inability to 
     control our borders;
       Whereas in response to this urgent need the Labor 
     Appropriations Act of 1924 officially established the U.S. 
     Border Patrol with an initial force of 450 officers to help 
     defend our borders;
       Whereas over the past 85 years the border patrol has 
     undergone enormous changes, but their primary mission has 
     remained the same, to detect and prevent the illegal entry of 
     persons into the United States;
       Whereas since 1998, the Border Patrol has seized more than 
     15,567,100 pounds of marijuana and more than 189,769 pounds 
     of cocaine nationwide;
       Whereas the border patrol is on the front line of the U.S. 
     war on drugs, having seized more than 14,241 pounds of 
     cocaine and more than 1,800,000 pounds of marijuana in fiscal 
     year 2007;
       Whereas in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001, 
     the border patrol has taken on a new mission as part of the 
     U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, with the priority 
     mission of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from 
     entering the United States;
       Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol today is our Nation's first 
     line of defense against many threats, patrolling 8,000 miles 
     of international borders with Mexico and Canada and the 
     coastal waters around Florida and Puerto Rico;
       Whereas the mission of the agency says, ``We are the 
     guardians of our Nation's borders. We are America's 
     frontline. We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond 
     our borders. We protect the American public against 
     terrorists and the instrument of terror. We steadfastly 
     enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our 
     Nation's economic security through lawful international trade 
     and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, 
     integrity and professionalism.'';
       Whereas the Border Patrol has adopted a clear strategic 
     goal, to establish and maintain operational control of the 
     border of the United States;
       Whereas this strategy consists of five main objectives, 
     establishing substantial probability of apprehending 
     terrorists and their weapons as they attempt to enter 
     illegally between the ports of entry, deterring illegal 
     entries through improved enforcement, detecting, 
     apprehending, and deterring smugglers of humans, drugs, and 
     other contraband, leveraging ``Smart Border'' technology to 
     multiply the effect of enforcement personnel, and reducing 
     crime in border communities and consequently improving 
     quality of life and economic vitality of targeted areas;
       Whereas today over 18,800 agents risk their lives in 
     pursuit of these objectives;

[[Page 14418]]

       Whereas the Border Patrol recognizes 104 official line of 
     duty deaths in service to their country;
       Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol has spent past 85 years 
     keeping this country safe from threats like terrorists, 
     illicit drugs, weapons, and criminals;
       Whereas the Border Patrol Inspectors of the past and the 
     Border Patrol Agents of today perform their duties on foot, 
     in automobiles, by horse, and in boats;
       Whereas today the Border Patrol uses state of the art 
     technologies to aid in the performance of their duties; 
     infrared cameras, remote video surveillance, unattended 
     underground sensors, and ground radar support their National 
     Strategy;
       Whereas they use canine teams to detect both humans and 
     narcotics at immigration checkpoints as well as in daily 
     operations;
       Whereas their Special Response Teams and Tactical Unit are 
     specially trained for domestic and international emergencies 
     and they have Search, Trauma, and Rescue teams, which provide 
     humanitarian and rescue capabilities, performing countless 
     rescues every year; and
       Whereas the Border Patrol is also supported in their 
     mission with air and marine assets and personnel from CBP Air 
     and MarineNow, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its support for the Border Patrol's goals and 
     objectives;
       (2) expresses its gratitude to the U.S. Border Patrol for 
     its commitment to protecting the United States; and
       (3) congratulates the Border Patrol and its exemplary 
     workforce on 85 years of service to the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Souder) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise 
and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the 
resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong 
support of House Resolution 498, honoring and congratulating the United 
States Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary, and I yield myself as 
much time as I may consume.
  As the chairwoman of the Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee 
for Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, I have been fortunate 
enough to visit the border several times to see firsthand the good work 
of the Border Patrol. I have seen it, not just on the southern border 
with Mexico, but also that with Canada.
  These dedicated men and women patrol America's borders, often in 
harsh climates, in isolated conditions, under dangerous conditions, in 
order to keep our Nation secure.
  Representatives of Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrol, 
and its agents have also testified many, many times before our 
committee about the challenges they face, particularly the Border 
Patrol's rapid growth and its evolving mission in recent years.
  I don't know if a lot of you remember, but just a few years back, our 
Border Patrol was only 450 people. Today it numbers almost 19,000, and 
it's on track to grow to 20,000 agents by the end of next year.
  When it was founded, the Border Patrol's sole mission was to prevent 
persons and contraband from entering our country illegally. But, in 
particular, in the wake of the attacks of September 11 of 2001, the 
Border Patrol is also charged, it is our front line, with stopping 
terrorists and their weapons from entering our country.
  In the early days of the Border Patrol, agents patrolled our borders 
without the benefit of modern technology. But today they have sensors, 
cameras, in addition to their traditional ``sign-cutting'' or their 
tracking skills, which they still use in some of the mountainous areas, 
especially out there in the Arizona and California desert. And through 
all these changes, the Border Patrol and its agents have maintained a 
steadfast commitment to serving our Nation.
  I commend the Border Patrol and all the agents who have served 
honorably under the Patrol's proud 85-year history. It is certainly 
fitting that the House of Representatives is marking this anniversary 
today with this resolution.
  And finally, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Teague, the gentleman 
from New Mexico, for offering this fine resolution, and I urge all of 
my colleagues to give it their support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Resolution 498, celebrating the anniversary 
of the Border Patrol and honoring their service.
  The Border Patrol was established in the Immigration Act of 1924, and 
celebrated its 85th anniversary just recently on May 28, 2009.
  The Border Patrol is one of the most public faces of the Department 
of Homeland Security. For those who aren't familiar with the 
differences, the Border Patrol covers the areas between the ports of 
entry as opposed to the ports of entry. The 18,000 men and women in 
green work every day along the borders and coastlines of the United 
States, often in some of the most rugged and challenging terrain.
  I have this outsized map here that the Marfa sector of the Border 
Patrol had given me from Texas. And this is just one small section of 
the border, but I wanted to use it to illustrate a few points. Marfa, 
Texas, is one of the more, let's just say, rural parts of America, 
which is why it was featured in ``No Country for Old Men,'' ``There 
Will Be Blood,'' because it was such a kind of an undeveloped area.
  The area at the bottom on the point is the big bend of Texas that you 
see. That's Big Bend National Park. Those mountains in that area, the 
Chisnos, are about 7,000 feet. A lot of people think our border is just 
flat and that it would be very easy to see all the problems coming 
through, but, in fact, it's very mountainous.
  The far northwest edge of this map, in the western side of the Marfa 
sector, is Presidio. Presidio is a point of entry. That point of entry, 
for example, it's called Presidio because it was a fort, and that's 
where General Pershing, for example, chased Pancho Villa across. 
There's no other legal point of entry for hundreds of miles as you go 
across that border through Big Bend and up until the far side, which is 
near Lake Amistad and Del Rio sector. These areas are very vulnerable 
to penetration by any number of things.
  And a lot of times the Border Patrol, as well as illustrating that 
the National Park Service has a huge chunk there, huge chunk over in 
other parks, that this border is not simple, and that when people say, 
Can't you just put a couple of thousand agents there and control the 
border, well, no, it is an incredible challenge.
  During my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity to visit 
almost every Border Patrol sector on the north and south borders. 
There's 2,000 miles on the south, 4,000 miles on the north. The 
challenges are diverse, and the criminal element seeking to exploit our 
open borders are inventive and have significant resources. Drug 
smugglers are using helicopters, ultralight aircraft, fast boats, and 
something as simple as coyotes, forcing illegal aliens to carry 50-
pound loads of drugs on their back to bring in contraband. The 
challenge is endless and the mission is critical.
  In the 6-plus years that the Border Patrol has been in the Department 
of Homeland Security, their agency has doubled in size. Congress has 
provided authorization funding for hundreds of miles of fencing and 
vehicle barriers, which combined, total over 600 miles. Efforts to 
provide additional technological resources to the Border Patrol through 
the SBInet program, that should, when complete, provide an additional 
capability to detect and respond to illegal entry.
  A sign that the efforts to gain operational control of the border are 
working is the growing drug cartel violence in Mexico. Nearly 8,000 
people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico. It's a 
tragic situation, and it is

[[Page 14419]]

absolutely critical that we continue to support and strengthen the 
Government of Mexico, headed by President Calderon.
  At the same time, we must further strengthen our own border security 
efforts, and cannot be dependent on another nation doing that.
  The Border Patrol's years of honorable service have not been without 
loss. To date, 104 agents have lost their lives in duty to their 
country. Additionally, hundreds of assaults, from rockings to Molotov 
cocktails to threats on their lives occur every year to our Border 
Patrol agents.

                              {time}  1930

  As we celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Border Patrol, it is 
important to remember and honor the agents who have paid the ultimate 
sacrifice in defense of our country. Luis Aguilar is the most recent 
who was run over by a drug smuggler trying to flee. As the guards of 
our borders, the Border Patrol is an important layer of security and 
often the last line of defense in preventing dangerous people and goods 
from entering the United States and infiltrating the U.S. communities.
  The Border Patrol cannot let down their guard as criminal 
organizations are continually looking for vulnerabilities in our 
security to bring in contraband. The consequences of a drug load that 
slips through the layered defense are significant. According to the 
Department of Justice, in 2007 almost 32 percent of high school seniors 
used marijuana in the past year and 5 percent had used cocaine. The 
vast majority of these drugs are smuggled across our borders.
  The reality of post-September 11, 2001, is that terrorist 
organizations may also seek to exploit openings along our borders to 
smuggle operatives or potential weapons. In the week since their 
anniversary, May 28, the Border Patrol has apprehended six alien gang 
members and four convicted sex offenders, seized three guns, six 
trailers carrying contraband, including one with 40 illegal aliens; 
seized 16,609 pounds of marijuana, five vehicles and an ultralight 
aircraft. And my favorite is about 6 a.m. last Sunday, agents spotted 
an individual on a surf board approximately 200 yards offshore paddling 
north of the international border in Imperial Beach. The surfer was 
holding a blue duffel bag. He released it as agents approached. Soon 
after, the blue duffel floated ashore and was inspected by Border 
Patrol agents and had five packages of marijuana with an estimated 
street value at $75,000. They're creative, if nothing else, and our 
Border Patrol has to be creative and persistent in response.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution and to honor 
the Border Patrol, express support for their important mission and 
pledge support to enhance their capabilities to gain operational 
control over our border.

                   [From www.cbp.gov, Mar. 23, 2009]

                        85 Years of Protected By

       Thursday, May 28, 2009, will mark the 85th anniversary of 
     the United States Border Patrol. Founded in 1924, the U.S. 
     Border Patrol was established in El Paso, Texas, and Detroit, 
     Michigan. The Purpose: To combat the illegal entry of aliens, 
     contraband, and the flow of illicit liquor from Mexico and 
     Canada into the United States. The U.S. Border Patrol is 
     steeped in a long and rich history that is passed down to 
     each new recruit as they begin their careers at the academy. 
     The newly organized El Paso Border Patrol Station was 
     assigned 25 Patrol Inspectors, many of whom were recruited 
     from the ranks of the Texas Rangers. Today, The Border Patrol 
     boasts over 18,000 agents, in 20 sectors, and 164 stations 
     around the nation.
       Under the authority of the Immigration Act, approved by 
     Congress on May 28, 1924, the Border Patrol was created as a 
     uniformed law enforcement branch of the Immigration Bureau. 
     This prompted the establishment of the El Paso Border Patrol 
     Sector on July 1, 1924. It was the height of Prohibition in 
     the United States, and organized crime was a growing concern, 
     as the mafia controlled a majority of the alcohol being 
     smuggled into the United States. As a result, liquor 
     smuggling from Mexico and Canada became a well organized, 
     thriving industry. The opportunity to earn substantial sums 
     of money became a temptation for many illegal aliens that 
     were willing to enter the United States carrying a few crates 
     of contraband.
       It wasn't long before gun battles began to erupt between 
     Border Patrolmen, and smugglers attempting to avoid arrest. 
     In February 1927, El Paso Sector experienced one of the 
     bloodiest months for the agency. As old newspapers report, 
     during the entire month, there had not been a 24-hour period 
     of time without a gunfight between smugglers and Patrol 
     Inspectors. These gunfights added to the renown of the Border 
     Patrol, as patrolmen gained a reputation for winning most of 
     these shootouts.
       Almost immediately after the establishment of the El Paso 
     Station, a need was seen to have officers at outlying 
     locations. Other stations soon opened within the sector. The 
     Border Patrol began to grow, as the situation along the 
     border was steadily deteriorating. As the prohibition era 
     reached the peak of its infamy; lawlessness and violence 
     became more common along the water borders of the Detroit 
     Sector. Several Detroit Sector Patrol Inspectors were killed 
     in the line of duty during this period, as smugglers 
     attempting to bring contraband across the border resorted to 
     violence to protect their cargo from the Border Patrol 
     Inspectors.
       Eighty-five years later, the Border Patrol has evolved into 
     the finest law enforcement organization in the world. On a 
     daily basis, the Border Patrol is confronted with a large 
     number of threats that would never have been conceived of at 
     the time of the agency's inception. Criminal organizations 
     have evolved as well, adopting a wide variety of weapons and 
     technology to aid them in their efforts to enter the United 
     States while smuggling human cargo and other contraband. 
     Since 9-11, the agency has had to adapt yet again, to our 
     nations newest threat; terrorism. The U.S. Border Patrol has 
     proven over its long history that its men and women are up to 
     the task ahead, and stand ready at our nation's borders.
       The U.S. Border Patrol will be hosting several events for 
     the 85th Anniversary, including a Headquarters celebration 
     honoring all of the men and women, past and present, who have 
     made the Border Patrol what it is today.

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes 
to my good friend, Mr. Silvestre Reyes from the great State of Texas 
who, by the way, has probably over 30 years of experience in the Border 
Patrol Agency.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for 
yielding me time, and I also want to thank you for your support of the 
men and women of the United States Border Patrol and the important work 
that you do through your chairmanship and the subcommittee that deals 
with border issues.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 498, 
a bill that honors and congratulates the United States Border Patrol on 
its 85th anniversary. And I also want to thank my good friend and 
neighbor, Harry Teague from New Mexico, the gentleman that has 
sponsored this legislation, for his support of the United States Border 
Patrol men and women. And the ranking member as well, thank you for 
your support. I think that the men and women of the United States 
Border Patrol do incredible work.
  The United States Border Patrol has a unique and rich history that 
began on May 28, 1924, when Congress passed the Labor Appropriations 
Act which officially established the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, 
Texas, and Detroit, Michigan. Established during the height of 
Prohibition in the United States, the initial 450 patrol inspectors 
were not only charged with preventing the entry of undocumented 
immigrants into the United States but were also responsible for 
combating the entry of illicit liquor from Mexico and from Canada.
  Eighty-five years later, the Border Patrol has evolved to include 
almost 19,000 agents in 20 sectors and 164 stations around our country. 
The brave men and women of the Border Patrol are currently responsible 
for securing 8,000 miles of our international borders, both with Mexico 
and Canada and the coastal water around Florida and Puerto Rico. Since 
9/11, the Border Patrol has been on the front lines in our national 
strategy to detect and apprehend terrorists and their weapons as they 
attempt to illegally enter the United States.
  Before coming to Congress, I served for 26\1/2\ years in the U.S. 
Border Patrol. For half of that time, I was a Border Patrol sector 
chief, first in McAllen, Texas, and then in El Paso, Texas. As the only 
Member of Congress with a background in border enforcement, I am keenly 
aware of the invaluable work that these brave men and women

[[Page 14420]]

perform for our country each and every day. We have a lot to thank them 
for.
  In these times of heightened security, the U.S. Border Patrol and 
those agents are not only vital in helping to protect our country from 
terror threats and illegal entry of drugs but they also apprehend and 
deter human smugglers and bring them to justice. Oftentimes these 
agents are the first people to respond in humanitarian situations in 
the desert by providing first aid, food, water, and shelter to people 
that have gotten in trouble because of the heat and the distance that 
they're forced to travel in remote areas. Border Patrol agents perform 
countless rescues every year and provide critical training to law 
enforcement, both at home and abroad.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman 
30 more seconds.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Border Patrol is vital to our 
Homeland Security strategy and has evolved into one of our country's 
finest law enforcement organizations. I'm a proud cosponsor of Mr. 
Teague's resolution in honor of their 85th anniversary. I urge all of 
my colleagues to support this bill, and I thank the men and women of 
the United States Border Patrol for working each and every day to keep 
us safe.
  Mr. SOUDER. I continue to reserve.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes 
to the gentleman who authored this particular resolution, the gentleman 
from New Mexico (Mr. Teague).
  Mr. TEAGUE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 498, a 
resolution honoring and congratulating the U.S. Border Patrol on its 
85th anniversary. This bill shows our support for the men and women who 
have served and are currently serving in our Nation's Border Patrol, 
and I encourage my colleagues to vote with me in support of this 
resolution.
  The Border Patrol has undergone incredible changes over the past 85 
years. They have grown from an initial force of 450 to over 18,800 
agents today. They have learned to deal with new threats such as 
terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. And they have adapted 
ground-breaking technologies--such as infrared cameras and unattended 
underground sensors--to better face the challenges confronting them.
  But despite these changes, their primary mission has stayed the same: 
to detect and prevent illegal entry of persons into the United States. 
As we all know, doing this is no easy task. They must patrol over 8,000 
miles of international borders with Mexico and Canada and the coastal 
waters around Florida and Puerto Rico. They are our first line of 
defense against many threats, including terrorists, illicit drugs, 
weapons, and criminals; and they perform admirably at these tasks.
  Since 1998, the Border Patrol has seized more than 15 million pounds 
of marijuana and 189,000 pounds of cocaine. Most importantly, border 
agents have very dangerous jobs. They risk their well-being every day 
on our behalf. In 85 years, 104 Border Patrol officers have lost their 
lives in the line of duty. In my district, the Border Patrol has an 
especially active presence, the El Paso Border Patrol sector, which 
covers all of New Mexico, covers 262 miles of border and employs over 
2,600 agents. In fiscal year 2008 alone, they made over 30,000 
apprehensions and seized over 87,000 pounds of marijuana.
  Also in my district, in the town of Artesia, we have the Federal Law 
Enforcement Training Center at this facility which covers over 220 
acres of space.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I yield the gentleman an 
additional 30 seconds.
  Mr. TEAGUE. The Border Patrol agents, along with the other Federal 
agents, get the training they need to better perform their duties and 
adapt to the new challenges facing them.
  In closing, the functions of the Border Patrol are more important 
today than ever. We have given them an incredibly difficult task and 
the brave men and women of the Border Patrol deserve the full support 
of Congress in achieving their goals.
  I would like to thank Congresswoman Sanchez, Chairman Reyes, Chairman 
Thompson, Congressman McCaul, and Majority Leader Hoyer for their 
leadership in helping bring this resolution to the floor.
  Again, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this 
resolution.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  First, I want to thank my friend and chairman of the subcommittee, 
Ms. Sanchez, who's been an excellent leader of our subcommittee and we 
work together closely on many things, not just noncontroversial bills 
like today. I thank Mr. Teague for his leadership and my long-time 
friend, Mr. Reyes, also the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, not 
only for his work in Congress but his work with the Border Patrol.
  And again and most personally, today I want to thank every agent, 
every Border Patrol agent in America for helping protect us, as well as 
Chief David Aguilar for his leadership and further service. It 
sometimes gets a tad boring, sometimes it gets a little hot. On the 
Canadian border, sometimes it gets a little cold. It isn't exactly the 
most exciting job in America at all times, but what each of these 
agents does is extremely important to the safety of our Nation.
  It may not be quite politically correct right now to talk about 
terrorism, but in fact it is a key part of our first line of defense in 
the border, and the Border Patrol is a key part of that. And we haven't 
had a terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11, partly because of our 
men and women in green.
  It may not be quite politically correct right now to talk about 
stopping illegal immigration; but quite frankly, the safety of our 
Nation, the integrity of American citizenship requires legal, orderly 
entry. This isn't to say how many there should be, what type of 
immigration law we should have, but requires an orderly, legal process. 
So do many American jobs require this.
  And it may not be quite politically correct right now to talk about 
stopping illegal drugs, but in doing so, the agents of the Border 
Patrol have made our streets safer, they have helped prevent child and 
spousal abuse, they have lowered emergency rooms admissions, they have 
helped people make child support payments by helping them hold their 
jobs because of illegal narcotics and other things causing them to lose 
their jobs or by intercepting them or driving the prices up because of 
what they intercept.
  We're never going to stop all drug abuse. And every Border Patrol 
agent knows he can't. But what he knows is he can intercept large 
numbers that would have gone to the streets and the homes of America 
and would have resulted in huge problems in crime and family safety in 
America.
  So maybe we don't want to call it the war on drugs anymore. Instead 
we call it a disease, and for those who get addicted, it is a disease. 
But in fact unlike doctors and nurses who fight cancer, or researchers 
who fight cancer or people who fight lupus or diabetes, the Border 
Patrol agents are getting shot at and they die.
  So whether we want to call it a war or whatever we want to call it, 
the individuals who use these illegal narcotics do not wake up one 
morning and suddenly discover that a heroin needle got put in their arm 
or that somehow they were snorting crack in their sleep or snorting 
cocaine in their sleep. In fact, it is somewhat different. And I want 
to make sure that our men and women of the Border Patrol understand 
that there is bipartisan support to making sure that we keep our border 
secure; that we continue to block illegal narcotics; that we continue 
to block terrorists; and you are our first line of defense on our huge 
borders, and we cannot thank you enough for risking your lives for the 
rest of us.
  I yield back.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to 
close, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

[[Page 14421]]

  I thank the gentleman from Indiana, my ranking member on the 
subcommittee that oversees all of the border issues for America. He's 
been a strong advocate for the Border Patrol as well as for all of the 
agencies, really, that sit within our jurisdiction. And so I thank him 
for taking the time tonight to be down here and helping to work on this 
bill.
  You know, the Border Patrol just doesn't work at the southern and the 
northern border. As was mentioned, we'll see them in Puerto Rico and 
some other areas, and also we send them to other countries to train 
people as to the whole issue of border patrol and how to take a look at 
what's coming in. In fact, in Iraq we've sent several to help to set up 
some of the border patrol issues out there in that country.

                              {time}  1945

  So we have a large group of men and women who come to work every 
single day, love America, and work very hard on behalf of the American 
people. And for this reason, Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support 
House Resolution 498, honoring and congratulating the Border Patrol on 
its 85th anniversary, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H. Res. 498, which honors and congratulates the U.S. Border Patrol on 
its 85th anniversary.
  Much has changed since 1924, when Congress formally established the 
U.S. Border Patrol and charged just 450 officers with securing our 
Nation's borders.
  Today, more than 18,000 Border Patrol agents patrol 8,000 miles of 
international borders with Mexico, Canada and the coastal waters around 
Florida and Puerto Rico.
  Previously, the Border Patrol was responsible only for stopping 
illegal aliens and contraband from crossing our borders--an enormous 
challenge on its own.
  But in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, 
Border Patrol's mission was expanded to include preventing terrorists 
and their instruments from entering the United States.
  One thing has not changed in the last 85 years, however.
  The men and women of the Border Patrol continue to risk their lives 
serving the American public with vigilance, integrity and 
professionalism.
  As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I have been to our 
borders and seen firsthand Border Patrol agents serving our Nation, 
often under very difficult conditions.
  That is why I am pleased to support this resolution, in honor of all 
those helping to secure America's borders today and throughout the 
Border Patrol's 85-year history.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would thank the gentleman from New Mexico, 
Mr. Teague, for authoring H. Res. 498.
  His congressional district includes Artesia, New Mexico, home to the 
Border Patrol Academy, where thousands of new Border Patrol agents have 
been trained.
  Mr. Teague's constituents are fortunate to have a strong advocate for 
that fine facility and for the Border Patrol as an organization.
  Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support this very worthy 
resolution, and join in honoring and congratulating the U.S. Border 
Patrol on its 85th anniversary.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in support 
of H. Res. 498, a resolution honoring and celebrating the United States 
Border Patrol on its 85th Anniversary.
  The United States Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency 
within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of the 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Border Patrol was founded on 
May 28, 1924 as an agency of the United States Department of Labor to 
prevent illegal entries along the Mexico-United States border.
  The Border Patrol's mission remains as the deterrence, detection and 
apprehension of illegal immigrants and individuals involved in the 
illegal drug trade who generally do not enter the United States through 
designated ports of entry.
  Ever since its founding, the U.S. Border Patrol has been there 
defending our borders and homeland. They were there to prevent Ahmed 
Ressam, also known as the ``Millennium Bomber,'' from entering this 
country and killing our citizens with explosives he intended to 
detonate at the Los Angeles International Airport during the holiday 
season prior to the 2000 millennium. They were there to apprehend 
Richard Goldberg, a suspected child molester, after he was arrested in 
Ottawa, Canada. Goldberg was on the FBI's ``Top 10 Fugitive List'' and 
was featured on ``America's Most Wanted.'' Further, just this month, 
they were there to seize close to $1.5 million in cocaine and marijuana 
along the Southern border.
  The Border Patrol is this nation's first line of defense against many 
threats. They patrol over 8,000 miles of international borders with 
Mexico and Canada as well as the coastal waters around Florida and 
Puerto Rico.
  The brave men and women of the Border Patrol work tirelessly to 
secure and facilitate trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. 
regulations, including immigration and drug laws. They keep our country 
safe from threats such as terrorists, illicit drugs, weapons, and 
criminals. Today over 18,800 Border Patrol Agents risk their lives in 
defense of our country. These brave men and women join thousands of 
others who have served our country in the Border Patrol over the last 
85 years.
  America can rest assured that its borders and homeland will be 
protected by the courageous men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol. I 
commend the U.S. Patrol on its proud and distinguished history of 
protecting the United States and strongly urge my colleagues to support 
this important resolution.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, as the lead Republican sponsor of this 
resolution I would like to thank the gentleman from New Mexico, 
Congressman Teague, as well as Chairman Reyes for all of their work on 
putting together this legislation.
  The U.S. Border Patrol has been keeping this country safe from 
threats like terrorists, illicit drugs, weapons, illegal immigrants and 
criminals for 85 years. I would like to thank the border patrol and I 
commend them for their service.
  In the early 20th century, control of the border was sporadic and 
piecemeal and included mounted guards, Texas Rangers, and military 
troops. After the prohibition of alcohol and the immigration reforms of 
1921 and 1924, the Labor Appropriations Act of 1924 officially 
established the U.S. Border Patrol with an initial force of 450 
officers to help defend our borders.
  Today the Border Patrol uses state of the art technologies to aid in 
the performance of their duties; infrared cameras, remote video 
surveillance, unattended underground sensors, and ground radar.
  CBP is responsible for guarding nearly 7,000 miles of land border the 
United States shares with Canada and Mexico and 2,000 miles of coastal 
waters surrounding the Florida peninsula and off the coast of Southern 
California. The agency also protects 95,000 miles of maritime border in 
partnership with the United States Coast Guard.
  I would like to praise for their tireless efforts the 52,000 CBP 
employees including the over 18,000 CBP Border Patrol agents, 1,000 CBP 
Air and Marine agents, almost 22,000 CBP officers and agriculture 
specialists and the nation's largest law enforcement canine program.
  I would also like to pay particular tribute to the 104 CBP employees 
who lost their lives in service to their country.
  In sum, CBP performs the vital task of securing America's borders 24 
hours a day, seven days a week while facilitating legitimate trade and 
travel. I congratulate them on their 85th anniversary and I urge my 
colleagues to vote in favor of this Resolution.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 498. Last week was the 85th anniversary of the United States 
Border Patrol. In 1924, Congress approved the Immigration Act, which 
established the U.S. Border Patrol.
  Their long and illustrious history began with 25 Patrol Inspectors in 
El Paso, Texas and Detroit Michigan with the mission of combating the 
illegal entry of aliens, contraband, and the flow of illicit liquor 
from Mexico and Canada into the U.S.
  During the height of prohibition, lawlessness and violence became 
more common along the water borders of the Detroit Sector. Several 
Detroit Sector Patrol Inspectors were killed in the line of duty, as 
smugglers attempting to bring contraband across the border resorted to 
violence to protect their cargo from the Border Patrol Inspectors.
  A lot has changed since 1924, but the core mission of the Border 
Patrol is still detecting and preventing the illegal entry of aliens 
and preventing the smuggling of contraband. Since the terrorist attacks 
of 9-11, the focus of the Border Patrol has changed to include 
detection, apprehension and deterrence of terrorists and terrorist 
weapons.
  America has given this vital task to a group of dedicated law-
enforcement agents, who are our eyes and ears, in the air, land and 
sea. They work in a variety of climates, and seize a great deal of the 
drugs intended for our streets and our children.
  Coming from a border district, I have a real interest in ensuring 
that the Border Patrol is

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equipped with the right mix of personnel, technology, and equipment 
that will enhance our ability to separate legitimate travel and trade, 
from those that seek to do us harm or enter our nation illegally.
  The Detroit Sector of the Border Patrol is responsible for 863 miles 
of our liquid border with Canada, and in the last five years, Agents 
have made nearly 5,000 arrests--an impressive accomplishment.
  Chief Patrol Agent Randy Gallegos, and the men and women of Sector 
Detroit are dedicated professionals, who defend the border and our 
nation owes them and the entire U.S. Border Patrol a debt of gratitude 
for their distinguished service to our nation.
  They follow the proud tradition of securing our border that began 
eighty-five years ago in small stations, with only a handful of agents. 
Today, there are over 18,000 men and women who wear the green uniform 
of a Border Patrol Agent.
  Without these brave Americans our nation would be less secure, and 
for that I want to offer my sincerest thanks. Our Border Patrol agents 
epitomize the motto of the Border Patrol--Honor First.
  Congratulations on your first eight-five years!
  I urge my colleagues to support passage of this resolution.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 498.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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