[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 19742]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND LOVED ONES OF BORDER PATROL 
                           AGENT ROBERT ROSAS

  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Homeland Security be discharged from further consideration of the 
resolution (H. Res. 681) expressing condolences to the family and loved 
ones of Agent Robert Rosas and standing in solidarity with the brave 
men and women of the United States Border Patrol as they remember the 
service and sacrifice of Agent Rosas and continue their mission to 
preserve and defend our borders, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 681

       Whereas since 1919, 108 United States Border Patrol agents 
     have died in the line of duty;
       Whereas, on July 23, 2009, on the Shockey Truck Trail near 
     Campo, California, agent Robert Rosas Junior, a member of the 
     United States Border Patrol since May 22, 2006, was killed by 
     gunfire while serving in the line of duty;
       Whereas since 2008, more than 50 Border Patrol agents have 
     been targeted by gun fire while hundreds of others have been 
     subject to other forms of attack;
       Whereas since 2006, over 10,000 individuals have been 
     killed as a result of ongoing violence on the Southwest 
     border;
       Whereas, despite an increased security presence along the 
     Southwest border in recent years, Border Patrol agents are 
     under constant threat of violence and contact with drug, 
     weapons, and human smugglers, drug cartels and other 
     organized crime, and transnational criminals;
       Whereas the killing of Agent Rosas represents the ever-
     present danger associated with the Southwest border, 
     affecting law enforcement and communities in both the United 
     States and Mexico;
       Whereas agent Rosas' death serves as an important reminder 
     that we are engaged in a serious effort to secure the 
     Southwest border, led by the approximate 17,000 agents 
     currently stationed along our Nation's 1,969-mile land 
     boundary with Mexico;
       Whereas the bravery and devotion to duty demonstrated by 
     agent Rosas has forever earned him a place in the hearts and 
     memory of his fellow Americans and the men and women of the 
     United States Border Patrol who risk their lives daily to 
     protect the safety and security of the United States people;
       Whereas agent Rosas, after starting his law enforcement 
     career in 2001 as a reserve officer in El Centro, California, 
     aspired to be a member of the United States Border Patrol;
       Whereas agent Rosas was beloved for his desire and 
     dedication to serving others, earning the respect and 
     admiration of his colleagues, but most of all by his devotion 
     to his wife, Rosalie, and their two children; and
       Whereas in the face of this loss, the Department of 
     Homeland Security and law enforcement immediately reaffirmed 
     that acts of violence against Border Patrol agents will not 
     stand: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives expresses its 
     condolences to the family and loved ones of Agent Robert 
     Rosas and stands in solidarity with the brave men and women 
     of the United States Border Patrol as they remember the 
     service and sacrifice of Agent Rosas and continue their 
     mission to preserve and defend our borders.

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I rise today in 
support of H. Res. 681, a resolution which expresses condolences to the 
family and loved ones of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas. On July 
23, 2009, Agent Rosas was killed by gunfire while protecting our 
nation's southwest border.
  Agent Rosas began his law enforcement career in 2001 as a reserve 
officer in El Centro, California. His desire to one day become a member 
of the U.S. Border Patrol was fulfilled on May 22, 2006 when he 
officially joined the Border Patrol family. Agent Rosas was deeply 
admired and respected by his colleagues for his generosity and service 
to others and for his dedication to his family. He fully embraced the 
Border Patrol's mission of securing our nation's borders, and he served 
with honor and distinction.
  Agent Rosas' death serves as a reminder of the many risks that 
confront Border Patrol agents each day and why we owe them our sincere 
gratitude for their bravery, service and sacrifice. Before coming to 
Congress, I served for 26\1/2\ years in the Border Patrol, and I will 
always remain a part of that special family. I know first-hand the 
challenges and dangers that the agents face each day, and as a Member 
of Congress, I remain committed to ensuring that they have the 
resources and support that they need. My thoughts and prayers are with 
Agent Rosas' family--his wife Rosalie and his two children, Robert and 
Kayla Alisa. During this extremely difficult time, it is my hope that 
the family will find some comfort in knowing that Agent Rosas served 
his country with distinction and that he will be remembered in the 
hearts of the American people.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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