Mr. Speaker. although we sometimes disagree in the debate over broader immigration policy. we all agree on one thingthat we should recognize and honor the brave Border Patrol agents who risk their lives every day on our border. Day in and day out. in often harsh conditions over unforgiving terrain. they seek to protect our borders. save from death those economic migrants lost in the desert. and protect our country. They often do battle with drug smugglers and human traffickers who have no respect for authorityor even life. Yet rarely are these agents recognized for their courage or their sacrifice. Unfortunately. sometimes it takes a tragedy for us to publicly recognize the selfless contributions that these Americans make for their country on a daily basis. In this case. that tragedy is the death of Luis Aguilar. a Senior Border Patrol agent who lost his life in the line of duty while trying to apprehend suspected drug smugglers near Yuma. Arizona on January 19. 2008. Agent Aguilar leaves behind his loving wife. Erica. his two children. Luis and Arianna. his brother. Marco Antonio. also a Senior Border Patrol agent. his sister. Angie. and his parents. Luis Aguilar and Cecilia Silva. They have all paid a heavy price for the service Luis Aguilar gave to protect this great Nation. Today we honor Agent Aguilar and all of the other Border Patrol agents who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. as well as the families of all those who have fallen. This Nation owes a debt of gratitude to them and all of the other Border Patrol agents who devotedly and selflessly work to keep us safe.
Keywords matched
Border Patrol migrants immigration