[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5274]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE 1,000TH GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE U.S. BORDER 
                             PATROL ACADEMY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize 
the 1,000th graduation ceremony of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in 
Artesia, New Mexico, where members of this graduating class will be 
assigned to one of three Border Patrol sectors: Tucson, Arizona, Del 
Rio or in my Congressional district in Laredo, Texas.
  As an active member of the Committee on Homeland Security in the U.S. 
House of Representatives, I understand the vital role that Border 
Patrol plays in securing our country, while facilitating trade and 
travel responsibilities and enforcing drug laws to protect our nation. 
Border patrol is a critical component for my Congressional district 
that sits along the nation's southwest border, as well. Their national 
presence along the border is necessary to ensure Americans' safety, 
protect our homeland and serve our nation and is greatly appreciated. 
The men and women of the Border Patrol make up the largest law 
enforcement organization; therefore this 1,000th graduating class is a 
milestone for the agency and enables the organization to foster 
increased security, trade and travel at the border.
  Every day, the Border Patrol processes over 932,000 passengers and 
pedestrians and over 64,000 truck, rail and sea containers, based on 
fiscal year 2011 data. Nearly 14,000 pounds of drugs are seized on a 
typical day showing the product of their vigilance to law enforcement 
and protection. The intricate composition of the organization includes 
a range of professionals such as, trade specialists, intelligence 
analysts, agricultural scientists and more to run an efficient system. 
With 21,063 CBP officers, 21,137 border patrol agents and 1,220 air and 
marine agents, their service is unified to their sole mission--
``securing America's borders while facilitating legitimate travel and 
trade'' as their slogan states.
  The graduation ceremony was held on April 12th and included the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, Acting Commissioner 
of Customs and Border Protection, David V. Aguilar, and Chief of the 
United States Border Patrol, Michael J. Fisher.
  I look forward to members of this graduating class being assigned to 
the three sectors, including Laredo, Texas in my Congressional 
district. Congratulations and thank you for your vital work to secure 
the homeland.

                          ____________________