Speech #930241675

Mr. Speaker. May 28 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Border Patrol of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It is well to recall that the Border Patrol grew out of the changing needs of our growing country and continues to serve effectively In stemming the tide of illegal aliens. For almost a hundred years after this Nation was founded. there were no Federal laws Imposing restrictions against the admission of aliens. Our national policy then favored unrestricted immigration. and this policy was richly rewarded through the substantial contributions made by Immigrants and their descedants in the building of this country. As legislation was adopted excluding certain aliens and imposing numerical limits on others. millions of aliens found they were unable to gain admission through lawful channels. Some turned to other channels which afforded an easier means of gaining entry. Encouraged by unscrupulous persons who sought to reap financial reward. large numbers of aliens were persuaded to enter this country Illegally. Alien smuggling soon developed into a highly organized lucrative business which the established immigration force could not hope to control. In an attempt to meet this problem. a small group of mounted inspectors was assigned to patrol the Mexican border. This token enforcement group which never consisted of more than 75 officers. was woefully inadequate to control the entry of large numbers of illegal aliens or to combat the organized smuggling activities along the border. In order to respond to this urgent situation. the 68th Congress. on May 28. 1924. provided for the establishment and maintenance of a Border Patrol. The initial force of 450 hastily recruited officers was faced with the enormous task of preventing the smuggling and unlawful entry of aliens across approximately 6.000 miles of land border. Despite its limited size. lack of experienced personnel. and inadequate transportation. the courage. and devotion to duty of these officers resulted in the effective and efficient enforcement of our immigration laws. Today a corps of courteous. superblytrained. and neatlyuniformed officers works along our borders protecting against the illegal entry of aliens and the smugglers who viciously exploit these aliens. During the course of an extensive investigation of the illegal alien problem by my Subcommittee on Immigration. Citizenship. and International Law. I witnessed firsthand the dedication and resourcefulness of these officers in their attempt to meet the difficult tasks assigned to them. Loyalty and esprit de corps have always been hallmarks of the Patrol from the beginning. These qualities have impressed all who have watched this dedicated organization grow in strength. professionalism. and public confidence. While the duties of the Border Patrol necessarily stress law enforcement and alien control. it would be a mistake to let this golden anniversary pass without noting that the Patrol is also a hand of friendship and assistance extended to citizens and aliens alike. Its officers have gladly rendered assistance to people in distress in situations ranging from locating children and adults lost in remote areas to assisting in rescue operations and transporting accident victims to medical facilities. Likewise. Border Patrol agents have played an active and instrumental role in combating the movement of hard drugs and marihuana into the United States. Mr. Speaker. the public services rendered by agents of the Patrol. both in their official capacity and as private citizens. have earned them the respect and good will of their fellow Americans. I am pleased to join in the recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Border Patrol and to express my appreciation for this outstanding organization.