Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the remarks of my good friend from
Pennsylvania, and I, too, rise in support of S. 1617, a bill to
designate the checkpoint of the United States Border Patrol located on
United States Highway 77 North in Sarita, Texas, as the Javier Vega,
Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint. Javier Vega, Jr., was killed in the line of duty on August 3, 2014,
while trying to stop a criminal act and trying to protect his family in
Raymondville, Texas. While fishing with his wife, with his children,
and with his parents, two men approached him and tried to rob his
family. Agent Vega attempted to stop the robbery by drawing his gun, and we
know that Border Patrol agents may carry their guns when they are off
duty because they are law enforcement officials. He was shot in the
chest. Agent Vega was rushed to the hospital after he was shot but died
soon thereafter. It was determined that Agent Vega was aware of a pattern of robberies
in the area due to his role as a Border Patrol agent and that he
identified himself as an agent before he was fatally shot. The U.S. Border Patrol considered those facts and later determined that Javier
Vega, Jr., was murdered in the line of duty, ensuring that Agent Vega's
name was enshrined at the Customs and Border Protection Valor Memorial. Agent Vega was a U.S. Marine veteran and had served with the United
States Border Patrol for 6 years before his untimely death. He served
his country with honor and distinction. Mr.
Keywords matched
Border Protection Border Patrol