U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with 16 other Senate colleagues, have introduced a resolution to honor the 101st anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol. The resolution acknowledges the dedication and sacrifices made by the Border Patrol’s personnel in their service to the nation.
The cosponsors of this resolution include Senators Marsha Blackburn, Katie Britt, Ted Budd, Shelley Moore Capito, Susan Collins, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Lindsey Graham, John Hoeven, John Kennedy, James Lankford, Cynthia Lummis, Pete Ricketts, James Risch, Rick Scott, and Thom Tillis.
The text of the resolution highlights the history of the U.S. Border Patrol from its origins as part of the Mounted Guard under the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1904. It notes that after its establishment in 1924 within the Bureau of Immigration following an appropriation act by Congress on May 28th that year. Initially comprising 450 patrol inspectors with a budget of $1 million annually and modest pay for each inspector who provided his own horse.
Since then changes in immigration patterns and contraband traffic necessitated formal training for border enforcement agents. On March 1st ,2003,the Department Homeland Security was formed integrating US Border Patrol into Customs & Border Protection agency which is now responsible for securing over eight thousand miles international land-water boundaries preventing terrorists or weapons entering US providing humanitarian aid during natural disasters emergencies at borders among other duties.
Over its century-long history numerous agents have been deputized as United States Marshals while today’s force consists more than nineteen thousand active members supported by three thousand professional staff across one hundred thirty-one stations thirty-four permanent checkpoints twenty sectors nationwide tasked ensuring safety security America’s borders against various threats including human trafficking drug smuggling among others.
In recognition Senate resolution commends achievements men women serving applauds significant accomplishments remembers those lost line duty encourages policies enhancing work conditions access advanced technology recruitment retention qualified personnel further strengthening national security efforts ongoing basis thereby supporting historic mission commitment enforcing immigration laws effectively efficiently possible
