Speech #850248743

Mr. Speaker. more than 2 million persons in 1 month. At the end of June a total of 12.155.084 crossings had been made. leading officials to predict that some 25 million border crossings will be made there during the year. Bear in mind that all 25 million of these people will afford the trainees practical training of the same type they will need in their daytoday jobs. From the operational site at El Paso. the trainees have hundreds of miles of international border to use in their training program. Obviously. since the present border patrol training school has remained in El Paso over these years. being moved only briefly for a few special sessions. the Department of Justice has found it practical and beneficial to locate its training school in that area. My bill does not prescribe a location for the proposed new Immigration and Naturalization Academy since it is not the practice of the Congress to direct a specific site. but I heartily recommend to the Justice Department officials that the permanent Academy be located in El Paso. I have been assured by civic leaders. officials in the local government and responsible individuals that El Paso will cooperate with the Department of Justice to locate this new permanent structure in El Paso to replace the longtime temporary school which has been housed at Fort Bliss. Tex.. through the cooperation of the Department of the Army and the commanding generals of Fort Bliss. With Fort Bliss growing and expanding as a part of our defense effort. space is needed there. and with the border patrol and other phases of the Immigration Service playing an important role in our national life. it seems desirable to create this new Immigration and Naturalization Academy. I have gone so far as to check the possibility of a location in El Paso for this Academy and I believe I am in a position to state that there is a very good chance that the land will be granted to the United States free of charge. I urge favorable consideration of my bill. and assure the immigration officials and others within the Department of Justice of the full cooperation of El Paso officials and individuals as well as my own complete cooperation in this regard. Defense Reorganization for Essential Military Unity