Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 3.djvu/496

 113 STAT. 2014 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—NOV. 19, 1999 Nov. 19, 1999 BORDER PATROI^-SIGNIFICANCE AND SERVICE [H. Con. Res. 122] 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 House of Representatives (the Senate 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. Agreed to November 19, 1999. Nov. 19, 1999 CELERBRATING DIVERSITY IN AMERICA [H. Con. Res. 141] Whereas the United States is a nation of immigrants, whose 270,000,000 inhabitants hail from every comer of the globe;

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