Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 954. a resolution honoring Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar. who recently lost his life in the line of duty. We are fortunate to have a dedicated. brave group of men and women working to secure Americas borders. Their efforts and expertise are critical to the success of any border security strategy. and to protecting our nation from dangerous individuals and goods. As the chair of the House Subcommittee on Border. Maritime and Global Counterterrorism. I am familiar with the terrain. conditions. and challenges of the southwest border and I deeply respect and value the work of our Border Patrol agents. I am saddened to rise today to recognize the loss of one of our dedicated Border Patrol agents. On the morning of Saturday. January 19. 2008. Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar lost his life in the line of duty as he attempted to stop a suspected drug smuggler fleeing through Californias Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area outside Yuma. Arzona. We have heard that Agent Aguilar. an El Paso native and nearly 6year veteran of the Border Patrol. was not supposed to be working that day. However. he reported to work when he realized he was needed. Aguilars father. a bailiff in El Paso for Judge Mary Ann Bramblett. said senior Agent Aguilar felt a strong commitment to his job and to preventing the flow of illegal drugs across our borders from reaching our communities and families. Judge Bramblett. who knew senior Agent Aguilar since he was a boy. said. "One of the ways he felt he could really give back to the country was to serve in the Border Patrol. Serving his country and serving his family were the two most important things Luis had in his life." Mr. Speaker. Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar gave his life serving our nation. I urge my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Agent Aguilars extraordinary sacrifice. and in offering our sincere sympathy to his family. friends. and loved ones.
Keywords matched
Border Patrol border security