Speech #1100169525

Madam Speaker. I rise to commemorate the 84th birthday of the United States Border Patrol. Next Wednesday. May 28. 2008. we will be commemorating the establishment of the United States Border Patrol. which began as the Patrol Inspectors in El Paso. Texas. The Border Patrol began under the Bureau of Immigration. then became a part of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003. the Border Patrol has become an integral part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Today. the Border Patrol is led by my friend and former colleague. Chief David V. Aguilar. Under his strong direction and leadership. the Border Patrol has grown to over 16.000 agents stationed throughout the Nations southern. northern. and coastal borders. Guided by their national strategy. with the proper mix of manpower. technology. and infrastructure. the Border Patrols primary goal is to gain and maintain operational control of our borders. Agents protect and defend the United States by preventing the smuggling of illicit materials. and surreptitious entry of persons into the United States. Last year alone. the Border Patrol arrested over 876.000 persons illegally entering or already present in the United States. and seized over 1.8 million pounds of marijuana and 14.000 pounds of cocaine. Today. the Border Patrol uses state of the art technologies to aid in the performance of their duties. Infrared cameras. remote video surveillance. unattended underground sensors. and ground radar support their national strategy. Their special response teams and tactical units are specially trained for domestic and international emergencies and they have search. trauma. and rescue teams that provide humanitarian and rescue capabilities and perform countless rescues each year. The Border Patrols mission is also supported by air and marine assets and personnel from CBP Air and Marine. Before coming to Congress. I was honored to serve as a Border Patrol agent for 261/2 years. of which 13 were spent as sector chief in McAllen and. then. in my home district of El Paso. Texas. My time in the Border Patrol gave me firsthand knowledge of the vigilance and dedication that are constantly required of these agents. The task of protecting our Nations borders is no small charge. Sadly. over the years. the Border Patrol has lost 105 men and women who courageously served our country. Let us take a moment to remember these brave men and women and honor their sacrifice. The Border Patrol lives by their motto "Honor First". so today. I ask that we honor the men and women in green for the work they have done and the sacrifices they have made.