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“SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 74--RECOGNIZING THE UNITED STATES BORDER PATROL'S 75 YEARS OF SERVICE SINCE ITS FOUNDING” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Senate section on pages S14740-S14741 on Nov. 17, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 74--RECOGNIZING THE UNITED STATES BORDER
PATROL'S 75 YEARS OF SERVICE SINCE ITS FOUNDING
Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Kyl, and Mr. Gramm) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Con. Res. 74
Whereas the Mounted Guard was assigned to the Immigration Service under the Department of Commerce and Labor from 1904 to 1924;
Whereas the founding members of this Mounted Guard included Texas Rangers, sheriffs, and deputized cowboys who patrolled the Texas frontier looking for smugglers, rustlers, and people illegally entering the United States;
Whereas following the Department of Labor Appropriation Act of May 28, 1924, the Border Patrol was established within the Bureau of Immigration, with an initial force of 450 Patrol Inspectors, a yearly budget of $1 million, and $1,300 yearly pay for each Patrol Inspector, with each patrolman furnishing his own horse;
Whereas changes regarding illegal immigration and increases of contraband alcohol traffic brought about the need for this young patrol force to have formal training in border enforcement;
Whereas during the Border Patrol's 75-year history, Border Patrol Agents have been deputized as United States Marshals on numerous occasions;
Whereas the Border Patrol's highly trained and motivated personnel have also assisted in controlling civil disturbances, performing National security details, aided in foreign training and assessments, and responded with security and humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of numerous natural disasters;
Whereas the present force of over 8,000 agents, located in 146 stations under 21 sectors, is responsible for protecting more than 8,000 miles of international land and water boundaries;
Whereas, with the increase in drug-smuggling operations, the Border Patrol has also been assigned additional interdiction duties, and is the primary agency responsible for drug interdiction between ports-of-entry;
Whereas Border Patrol agents have a dual role of protecting the borders and enforcing immigration laws in a fair and humane manner; and
Whereas the Border Patrol has a historic mission of firm commitment to the enforcement of immigration laws, but also one fraught with danger, as illustrated by the fact that 86 agents and pilots have lost their lives in the line of duty--6 in 1998 alone: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress recognizes the historical significance of the United States Border Patrol's founding and its 75 years of service to our great Nation.
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