Speaker. I thank Chairman ROGERS and Ranking Member MEEK both for their leadership. This has been a committee that has found common ground in many instances. and certainly I rise to support the More Border Patrol Agents Now Act of 2006. which would help develop a plan that would give us a longterm opportunity to plan over the years for recruitment of our Border Patrol agents. Let me tell you what else I think is needed that I hope will be included in our longrange plan. an affirmation of the Border Patrol agents. of the value of their work. the necessity of their work. Certainly we know that there have been some ups and downs. Right now. we are confronting an issue in Texas about the prosecution of Border Patrol agents and whether the facts were in order. but I think it is important that they know the rules. they have professional development. and as well there is a definitive way to recruit. But let me say to you that I hope that as we move toward legislation that addresses the question of Border Patrol agents. we will address the question of professional development. their civil service status. And I would commend to you H.R. 4044. legislation that I wrote. that I had the endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council. Mr. T.J. Bonner is president. who is seeking to ensure that there is a civil service protection for Border Patrol agents and there is a certain elevation of their level that speaks to their compensation. So that has to be a part of the package of recruitment as well. And. of course. advancement. salary increases. these are real. hardcore issues that will help retain those that we hire.
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Border Patrol