Walter Jones

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Bilbray, I want to thank you very much for yielding. You will soon be the leading the Immigration Caucus here in Washington, D.C., that is involved with many Members from both parties and who are concerned about the future of this great Nation. To my friend Mr. Rohrabacher, I want to thank him for his passionate feelings tonight. The American people had to feel that. I want to say to you, Mr. Bilbray and Mr. Rohrabacher, that we have for the last 7 months, a large number of us, have been fighting for these two border agents. I am not going to try to repeat anything that has been said. I want to be short in my time because of the limited time that is left tonight. But I want to say that, as Mr. Rohrabacher articulated every aspect of this case, there is nothing I could add to it except this: We have written, at least myself alone, four letters to the President of the United States going back to August 21 of 2006. We have a letter today, which will be the fifth letter. Many of these letters by me personally have been signed by at least 30 to 40 Members of Congress. Mr. Rohrabacher had one back in December signed by 50 Members. And I want to join him very briefly. Why will this administration not listen to the truth? And I am not going to try to articulate anything that has already been said, but these men are heroes in this country. I don't know how these Hispanic Americans, and that is what they are, a great part of America, Hispanic Americans, Compean and Ramos, how their families could believe in America tonight, with their loved ones who tried to fight drug traffickers in this country. Their husbands tonight, Ramos and Compean, are in the Federal prisons. And as was said by Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Ramos last Saturday night was beaten up by Mexican nationals. I close my brief comments tonight by saying to the President of the United States, please listen to the Members of Congress. But more important than the Members of Congress, listen to the American people. For the last 8 months they have been calling talk shows throughout this great Nation and saying to the President of the United States please pardon these men. And when I heard Tony Snow answer the question a month ago and said that this is nonsensical, Mr. Snow, wake up yourself. Awaken the President to what has happened. These men deserve to be heroes, not to be crucified by this government. If we believe in justice, Mr. President, and I hope and believe that you do believe in justice, then soon, in the next few days, you will grant a pardon to these two men. And with that, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend for this brief time. And that is all I needed was this brief time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, 3 weeks ago, two U.S. Border Patrol agents entered Federal prison. Agents Ramos and Compean never should have been sent to prison. These agents were convicted last spring for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern borders into Texas. Members of Congress and countless American citizens have repeatedly petitioned President Bush to pardon these agents. At the House Democratic Caucus last week, the President said, and I quote the President, ``We want our Border Patrol agents guarding the borders from criminals and drug dealers and terrorists.'' Agents Ramos and Compean were protecting the American people from an illegal drug dealer. Mr. President, we are calling on you today, as you pledged you would last month, to take a sober look at this case. Many Members of Congress have warned that if these two border agents enter prison, their safety would be threatened by those who hate law enforcement officers. Madam Speaker, tragically this happened last Saturday evening to Agent Ramos who was beaten in prison by a group of Mexican nationals. Mr. President, the safety of these men is in jeopardy and time is running out. You alone have the authority to correct this injustice by pardoning these two men. Mr. President, please do not delay your review of the facts of this case. Madam Speaker, my colleagues and I will soon be sending a fifth letter to the President concerning these agents. We are asking the President to please expedite his consideration of a pardon for these two men and help these families realize that America is a country that believes in justice. Madam Speaker, I want to repeat that phrase very quickly: America is a country that believes in justice. Mr. President, please help these two Border agents. They deserve our praise, not to be in prison. Please, Mr. President, help them out now.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, 3 weeks ago two U.S. Border Patrol agents entered Federal prison. Agents Ramos and Compeon never should have been sent to Federal prison. These agents were convicted last spring for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. Members of Congress have, and let me say, not only Members of Congress, but many American citizens, have repeatedly petitioned President Bush to pardon these agents. At the House Democratic Caucus last week, the President said: ``We want our Border Patrol agents guarding the borders from criminals and drug dealers and terrorists.'' Mr. President, we are calling on you today, as you said you would weeks ago, to take a sober look at this case. Many Members of Congress have warned that if these two Border Patrol agents entered prison their safety would be threatened by those who hate law enforcement officers. Tragically, this happened last Saturday night when Agent Ramos was beaten while being in prison. Mr. President, you have the authority to correct an injustice. Please, Mr. President, expedite your consideration of a pardon for these two men and help their families realize that America is a country that believes in justice. Mr. Speaker, before closing, I want to repeat that: Mr. President, you have the authority to correct an injustice. Please expedite your consideration of a pardon for these two men and help their families realize that America is a country that believes in justice.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Paul for so many years coming down to the floor to defend the Constitution of the United States. The United States Constitution, article I, Section 8, clause 11, vests in the Congress the exclusive power to declare war. Many of us in the past few days have put in a resolution, H.J. Resolution 14, to say that the President should not go into and bomb Iran unless he comes to the Congress so that the Congress can meet its constitutional responsibility. James Madison said, `` . . . The power to declare war, including the power of judging the causes of war, is fully and exclusively vested in the legislature . . . the Executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war.'' I want to thank you, Ron Paul, for always being a spokesman and a protector of the Constitution.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, soon the page will bring forward a photo of two border agents who are now in prison. And it is a travesty of injustice as bad as I have ever seen. The portrait is of the two border agents, Mr. Compean and Mr. Ramos. Mr. Compean has a wife and three children, one, his youngest, 4 months old. Agent Ramos has a wife and three sons. Mr. Speaker, many of us in the House have made the House aware of this case. These agents were convicted last spring for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. The agents fired shots during a foot chase with the smuggler, who had fled in a van they were pursuing. The van contained approximately $1 million worth of marijuana. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents and granted immunity to a known drug smuggler for his testimony against our border agents. This prosecution has been questioned by many Members of Congress and by citizens throughout this country. These men never should have been prosecuted; yet they are now handcuffed in Federal prison. We have repeatedly petitioned President Bush to pardon these agents. Mr. Speaker, after months of silence, the President said in a television interview last week that he would take a ``sober look'' at the case and a ``tough look at the facts'' to see whether these agents should be pardoned. I hope that at this time the President and his staff will take an honest look at the facts of this case. The facts will tell the President what countless citizens and Members of Congress already know, that the United States Attorney's Office was on the wrong side of this case. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents almost exclusively on the testimony of an admitted drug smuggler who claimed he was unarmed. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas, was permitted to return to Mexico, and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. The drug smuggler is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. Mr. Speaker, the extraordinary details surrounding the prosecution of this case ensure that justice has not been served. For the sake of the agents and their families and for the sake of the American people whom they were working to protect, I encourage the President of the United States to obtain the transcripts of this trial and review the facts of this case as soon as possible. Real justice does not fear the truth. Real justice does not fear the truth. By pardoning these two innocent men, the President can immediately reverse an injustice that never should have happened to these Hispanic Americans. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to reiterate that Agent Compean and his wife have three children and one, his youngest, 4 months old; and that Agent Ramos, himself, and his wife have three sons. Congressman Poe, who will be speaking in a few minutes on another issue, I am sure, has been outspoken on this--and a number of other Members and even some on the Democratic side. This is an injustice that should never happen to an American citizen, never under any circumstances. Mr. President, please look at the facts of this case. Free these men. They have no business being in a Federal penitentiary for trying to protect the American citizens. And God bless America

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the pages are helping me put up the portrait of an injustice. The picture shows two U.S. Border Agents on January 17, 2007, turning themselves in to United States marshals to begin serving 11 and 12 years respectively in Federal prison. U.S. Border Agents Ramos, who is at the bottom of this portrait, and Compean, at the top, were convicted last spring for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. These men never should have been prosecuted, yet they are now handcuffed in Federal prison. Mr. Speaker, after months of silence, the President said in a television interview last week that he would take a sober look at the case and a tough look at the facts to see whether the agents should be pardoned. For the agents' sake, I am hopeful that the President will look into this case as soon as possible. The facts will tell the President what countless citizens and Members of Congress already know, that the U.S. Attorney's Office was on the wrong side in this case. The agents fired shots during a foot chase with the smuggler who had fled in a van they were pursuing. The van contained approximately $1 million worth of marijuana. Compelling physical evidence, the angle of the bullet that struck the drug smuggler, makes it clear that the smuggler was pointing something at the agents as he ran away, and the agents fired in self-defense. Yet the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents almost exclusively on the testimony of an admitted drug smuggler who claimed he was unarmed. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents and granted immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our Border Agents. This drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas; was permitted to return Mexico; and is now suing the border patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. He is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. Since the agents were convicted, three of the 12 jurors have submitted sworn statements that they were misled into believing that there could be no dissent in the jury's decision and therefore believe that they had to give in to the majority opinion of guilt. Still, the judge refused to overturn the verdict. Mr. Speaker, the extraordinary details surrounding the prosecution of this case assure that justice has not been served. The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General in this case has outrageously claimed that Agents Ramos and Compean admitted they were out to shoot Mexicans and confessed to knowingly shooting an unarmed suspect. But the Inspector General has failed to make good on his promise to deliver documents to Members of Congress to support these claims. Nearly 2 years after the conclusion of the agents' trial, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas has answered repeated requests for transcripts of the trial with nothing but excuses. Mr. Speaker, real justice does not fear the truth. For the sake of the agents and their families and for the sake of the American people who they were working to protect, I encourage the President of the United States to review the facts on this case as soon as possible. The President alone can immediately reverse this injustice by pardoning these two innocent men. With that, Mr. Speaker, before I yield back, I want to say to the families of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean that there are Members on both sides of the political aisle in this House of Representatives that will not sit still until the President pardons these two men. They deserve the best of America, not the worst, and God bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, now is a critical time in the case of two United States Border Patrol agents. Last week, the agents turned themselves in to U.S. marshals to begin serving 11 and 12 years, respectively, in Federal prison. U.S. Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean were convicted last spring for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. The agents fired shots during a foot chase with the smuggler, who had fled in a van they were pursuing. The van contained approximately $1 million worth of marijuana. Mr. Speaker, after months of silence, the President recently said in a television interview that he would take a sober look at the case and a tough look at the facts to see whether the agents should be pardoned. For the agents' safety, I am hopeful that the President of the United States will look into this case as soon as possible. The facts will tell the President what countless citizens and Members of Congress already know, that the United States Attorney's office was on the wrong side in this case. Compelling physical evidence--the angle of the bullet that struck the drug smuggler--makes it clear that the smuggler was pointing something at the agents as he ran away and the agents fired in self-defense. Yet the U.S. Attorney's office prosecuted the agents almost exclusively on the testimony of an admitted drug smuggler who claimed he was unarmed. Despite claims of insufficient evidence, the fact that the U.S. Attorney's office and Office of Inspector General were able to track down this smuggler in Mexico proves that they had enough evidence to tie him to the drug load, but they chose not to prosecute him. Instead, Mr. Speaker, the United States Attorney's office prosecuted the agents and granted immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our border agents. That is absolutely unacceptable. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas, was permitted to return to Mexico, and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. Contrary to the claims of the United States attorney, there is no law that requires the government to give medical assistance to injured illegal aliens. This drug smuggler is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. Since the agents were convicted, three of the 12 jurors have submitted sworn statements that they were misled into believing that there could be no dissent in the jury's decision and therefore believed that they had to give in to the majority opinion of guilt. Still, the judge refused to overturn the verdict. Mr. Speaker, the extraordinary details surrounding the prosecution of this case assures that justice has not been served. For the sake of the agents and their families and for the sake of the American people who they were working to protect, I encourage the President to review the facts of this case as soon as possible. In addition to the 250,000 petitions that have been collected on behalf of the agents, the American people and Members of Congress should encourage the President to review this case. I hope that the Members of Congress and the American people will call the White House and ask the President to immediately reverse this injustice by pardoning these two innocent men.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today is a sad day in the history of America. Two law enforcement officers who have given years of their life in service to this Nation have entered Federal prison today for shooting a drug smuggler. This is a black mark for the President and his administration. U.S. Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean were found guilty in a Federal court last spring for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. Many of us in Congress have written letters asking the President to consider pardoning these agents, a request that is justified by serious questions about the prosecution of this case, including both the indictment and the process. These agents never should have been prosecuted for their actions last year, yet they have been sentenced to 11 years and 12 years in Federal prison respectively. These agents do not deserve to spend one day in prison. By attempting to apprehend an illegal alien drug smuggler, these agents were simply doing their jobs to protect the American people. The extraordinary details surrounding the prosecution of this case assure that justice was not served. These agents should have been commended for their actions. Instead, the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents and granted full immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our agents. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas, was permitted to return to Mexico, and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. He is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. Although it is clear that the agents fired shots in self-defense, Ramos and Compean were convicted mainly on the testimony of a habitual drug smuggler who claimed he was unarmed. Despite my repeated requests for an investigation of this case and a request by more than 50 Members of Congress for the President to pardon these agents, this administration has ignored the concerns of countless citizens who have cried out against this injustice. Mr. Speaker, the indifference of this White House will long be remembered by the American people and by those of us in Congress who tried to come to the aid of these two heroes.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, a bipartisan bill to allow the Federal Government to negotiate the best price on prescription drugs for our seniors. The current Medicare prescription drug law prohibits the Federal Government from negotiating the best prescription drug prices for Medicare's 43 million beneficiaries. Mr. Speaker, let me share with the House a practical example of how severe the problem of rising prescription drug prices is for our seniors. A woman from my district in eastern North Carolina saw her monthly prescription bill go from $6 per month to almost $60 a month. She spoke to a local TV station and said she would not have money for food if she had to pay that much each month. From $6 to $60 a month. Mr. Speaker, the American people want us to pass this legislation. In a recent poll, 92 percent of Americans voiced their support for this bill. Ninety-two percent of the American people. I have read reports that the President has pledged to veto this legislation. Sadly, yet again, the President is not listening to the American people. Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan bill with support from both sides of the aisle and the support of the American people. Mr. Speaker, it is time that this House listens to the American people, and it is time that this administration listens to the American people. And it is time for this House and the President to listen to this woman who represents millions of people across this Nation whose bill is going to go from $6 to $60 a month. Mr. Speaker, I hope that the House will pass this legislation, and I hope that we will have the number of votes to override the President's veto.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, due to a preexisting commitment with constituents in my district, I missed two rollcall votes this evening. I ask that the Congressional Record show that had I been present: For rollcall No. 536--Adoption of the Rule for H.R. 6406, a bill to modify temporarily certain rates of duty and make other technical amendments to the trade laws, and to extend certain trade preference programs--I would have voted ``no''; For rollcall No. 539--Adoption of the Rule for H.R. 6406, a bill to modify temporarily certain rates of duty and make other technical amendments to the trade laws, and to extend certain trade preference programs--I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am on the floor tonight to bring to the attention of the House a situation involving two U.S. Border Patrol agents. Agent Ramos and Compean were found guilty in a Federal court for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern borders into Texas. These agents never should have been prosecuted for their actions last year, yet they have been sentenced to 11 and 12 years in Federal prison respectively. On January 17 of 2007, both agents will enter Federal prison unless action is taken to overturn their sentences. Agent Ramos served the Border Patrol for 9 years, and was a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year. Agent Compean had 5 years of experience as a border agent. By attempting to apprehend an illegal alien drug smuggler, these agents were simply doing their job to protect the American people. These agents should have been commended for their actions, but instead the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted these agents and granted full immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our agents. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas, was permitted to return to Mexico, and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, he is not an American citizen, he is a criminal. On October 26, an article by Sara Carter of the Los Angeles News Group, quotes two of the drug smuggler's family members who said, ``He has been smuggling drugs since he was 14 years of age and would not move drugs unless he had a gun on him, and he has been bragging about the money he is going to get in a lawsuit every time we talk to him.'' While this habitual drug smuggler goes free, the families of the two El Paso Border Patrol agents have struggled to cope for almost 2 years with this unjust prosecution and conviction. On October 18, an article by Sara Carter, she describes the devastation that has fallen upon the Ramos family, stating, and I quote, ``They have almost lost their home on several occasions, they no longer have medical insurance, and most of the money raised for them will go to attorneys when they appeal the case.'' I further quote, ``Threats from associates of . . . [the drug smuggler] have left the Ramoses fearful for their children's safety. The El Paso Sheriff's Department has had deputies monitoring the Ramos family since the threats came by e-mail and phone.'' The article reports, ``Ramos first thought when the smuggler turned to him was of his wife and three young sons. He shot at the smuggler to save his life and his partner's, he said.'' Although it is clear that the agents fired shots to defend themselves and the border that they patrol, Ramos and Compean were convicted mainly on the testimony of a drug smuggler who claimed he was unarmed. A sealed indictment for the drug charges forbade the defense from calling into question the integrity of the drug smuggler as a witness. Despite my repeated requests for an investigation of this case, and a request from dozens of Members of Congress to pardon the agents, this administration has ignored the concerns of countless citizens who have decried the unjust prosecution of these two heroes. Members of Congress and the American people are outraged and concerned with this administration's indifference to the plight of these two honorable men who have been crucified unfairly by a Federal prosecutor. By using the power of his office to pardon these two agents, the President has the opportunity to immediately reverse a grave injustice. These two agents have given years of their life to service to this Nation, and have been unjustly punished for doing their job to protect our homeland. Mr. Speaker, in closing, many in Congress and the people of America are asking the President to please consider our request and to pardon these two agents for protecting the American people from a known drug dealer. Please listen, Mr. President, we are asking you to please help.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am on the floor today to bring to the attention of the House the unjust prosecution of two U.S. Border Patrol agents and to urge the President of the United States to pardon these two men. Agents Ramos and Compean were found guilty in a Federal court for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. These agents never should have been prosecuted for their actions last year; yet they had been sentenced to 11 and 12 years in Federal prison respectively. Agent Ramos served Border Patrol for 9 years and was a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year. Agent Compean had 5 years of experience as a Border Patrol agent. By attempting to apprehend an illegal alien drug smuggler, these agents were simply doing their job to protect the American people. These agents should have been commended for their actions, but instead the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents and granted full immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our agents. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas; was permitted to return to Mexico; and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. He is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. Although it is clear that these agents fired shots at the drug smuggler to defend themselves and the border they patrol, Ramos and Compean were convicted mainly on the testimony of a habitual drug smuggler who claimed he was unarmed. A sealed indictment for drug charges forbade the defense for calling into question the integrity of the drug smuggler as a witness. An October 26 article by Sara Carter of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin quotes two of the drug smuggler's family members who said he ``has been smuggling drugs since he was 14 and wouldn't move drugs unless he had a gun on him.'' Mr. Speaker, this came from the family member who knows this drug dealer. The family member also reported that the drug smuggler had been bragging about the money he is going to get in a lawsuit against the United States of America. Despite my repeated requests for an investigation of this case and a request by a dozen Members of Congress for the President to pardon the agents, this administration has ignored the concerns of countless citizens who have decried the unjust prosecution of these two heroes. Mr. Speaker, I am calling on the President to listen to the concerns of the American people and to make it a top priority to pardon these two agents. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the last paragraph of my November 15 letter to the President: ``Mr. President, you have an opportunity to reverse a great injustice committed against two agents who have given years of their life in service to this Nation and who have been unjustly punished for doing their job to protect our homeland. On January 17 of 2007, both Agents Ramos and Compean must surrender themselves to Federal authorities unless action is taken to overturn their sentences. ``I strongly urge you, Mr. President, to listen to the concerns of the American people and use the power of your office to pardon these two agents.'' Mr. Speaker, I want to say again in closing that these two agents are heroes of this great Nation, and if anything, they should be rewarded and not crucified by the Federal Government for doing their job. Please, Mr. President, listen to the American people.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am on the floor today to bring to the attention of the House a situation involving two U.S. border agents. These agents were found guilty in a Federal court for wounding a drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. These agents never should have been prosecuted for their actions last year, yet they have been sentenced to 11 and 12 years in Federal prison respectively. Agent Ramos served the Border Patrol for 9 years and was a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year. Agent Compean had 5 years of experience as a border agent. By attempting to apprehend a Mexican drug smuggler, these agents were simply doing their job to protect the American people. Mr. Speaker, today I have written the President of the United States to express my outrage over his indifference toward the plight of these two agents. Despite my repeated requests for an investigation of this case, and a request by a dozen Members of Congress for the President to pardon these agents, this administration has ignored the concerns of countless citizens who have decried the unjust prosecution of these two heroes. Press Secretary Tony Snow conveyed the administration's collective dismissal of these concerns when he labeled the question of a Presidential pardon for these agents as ``nonsensical.'' With an approval rating hovering near 30 percent, it is obvious and evident that the citizens of our Nation have been disappointed with this administration. Mr. Speaker, I am calling on the President to listen to the concerns of the American people and to make it a top priority to pardon these two agents. These agents should have been commended for their actions, but instead the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents and granted full immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our agents. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas, was permitted to return to Mexico and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. Mr. Speaker, he is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. And yet, Mr. Speaker, it is our two brave border agents who have been sentenced to serve time behind bars. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the last paragraph of my letter to the President. I have mailed this letter today to the White House, and this is the last paragraph of the letter: ``Mr. President, you have an opportunity to reverse a great injustice committed against two agents who have given years of their lives in service to this Nation and who have been unjustly punished for doing their job to protect our homeland. ``On January 17 of 2007, both Agents Ramos and Compean must surrender themselves to Federal authorities unless action is taken to overturn their sentences. I strongly encourage you to listen to the concerns of the American people and use the power of your office to pardon these two agents.'' Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, November 15, 2006. Hon. George W. Bush, President of the United States, Washington, DC. Dear President Bush: I am writing to express my deep disappointment with your Administration's demonstrated indifference toward the case of United States Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean. On October 19th, the agents were convicted and sentenced to 11 and 12 years in federal prison respectively for firing shots at a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across the U.S. border last year. The two agents were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office and the smuggler was granted full immunity to testify against the agents. In a letter to Press Secretary Tony Snow, I conveyed my extreme disappointment with his responses to questions regarding the agents' case. At press briefings, Mr. Snow labeled a question concerning a presidential pardon for agents Ramos and Compean ``nonsensical,'' and later announced the White House's intention to ``wait and see'' what a congressional hearing on their case produces. Despite my repeated requests for an investigation of this case and a request by a dozen members of Congress for you to pardon the agents, your Administration has collectively dismissed these requests and the petitions of countless citizens throughout the country who have decried the unjust prosecution of these two heroes. With an approval rating hovering near thirty percent, it is obvious and evident that the citizens of our nation have been disappointed with your Administration--and I believe your inaction on this issue is a key reason why. Mr. President, you have an opportunity to reverse a great injustice committed against two agents who have given years of their life in service to this nation, and who have been unjustly punished for doing their job to protect our homeland. On January 17th, 2007, both agents Ramos and Compean must surrender themselves to federal authorities unless action is taken to overturn their sentences. I strongly encourage you to listen to the concerns of the American people and use the power of your office to pardon these two agents. Sincerely, Walter B. Jones, Member of Congress.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, due to a pre-existing commitment in my district, I missed three rollcall votes this afternoon. I ask that the Congressional Record show that had I been present: For rollcall No. 509--Adoption of the Conference Report on H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007--I would have voted ``aye''; For rollcall No. 510--Adoption of the Conference Report on H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007--I would have voted ``aye''; For rollcall No. 511--Final Passage on H.R. 4772, the Private Property Rights Implementation Act--I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers on H. Res. 1030, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) to respond to Ms. Sanchez.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama and because the resolution is short, I would like to read the remainder of the resolution and then make my comments and yield time to those who would like to speak. To continue as the Reading Clerk read: ``Whereas Border Patrol agents are a highly trained and qualified group of men and women; ``Whereas Border Patrol agents protect the United States from an influx of illegal immigration, illicit drugs, counterfeit goods, and terrorists; ``Whereas Border Patrol agents protect our borders in some of the most remote and dangerous areas of the country; and ``Whereas Border Patrol agents continue to perform their duties under tough circumstances: Now, therefore, be it ``Resolved, that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the men and women of the United States Border Patrol should be supported for their dedication to the United States and to their mission to secure our borders.'' Mr. Speaker, the reason I wanted to come forward with this resolution, and I know that certainly Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee from Texas and others in the other party as well as my own party, we have been very concerned about two Border Patrol agents, Mr. Ramos and also Mr. Compean, two Border Patrol agents that joined their colleagues, over 12,000 Border Patrol agents, who I think, in my humble opinion, have a very, very difficult job. I would compare their job, quite frankly, to our men and women in uniform overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq, because they are trying to protect the borders of those citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan and we are trying to protect the borders of the American citizen. Mr. Compean and Mr. Ramos I have had the opportunity to talk with by telephone, and I talked to their attorneys. These men were doing their job to protect the American citizen in Texas. And a drug smuggler from Mexico was trying to flee the United States, and in his van he had over 700 pounds of marijuana. These men stopped him. There was a confrontation that took place. The drug smuggler started across the border. There were shots fired, and he was hit in the buttocks as he was trying to cross the border. Since that time, Mr. Speaker, these two men have been found guilty in a court of law. They have the possibility of spending 20 years in a Federal pen. I hate to say this, but the U.S. Attorney gave immunity to the drug smuggler, who still had indictments over his head here in this country. He was given immunity; and these two men, who have families, are now financially broke from trying to defend their honor and the fact that they did their job for the Border Patrol. I felt that it was important tonight, and I know my colleagues do, which some will be speaking later, that so many times there are law enforcement all over this Nation as well as our men and women in uniform that do a very, very invaluable job for this country. They ask nothing but to be respected for the tough job that they do. Whether it is the military or the Border Patrol or law enforcement, the pay never meets the requirements that we ask of those individuals; and tonight I felt that it was important to put this resolution in. This resolution will not have to go to the Senate, by the way. This will be a resolution of the Members of the House of Representatives that are not speaking to the charges and the penalty of Compean and Ramos, but we will be saying to the Border Patrol of this country you are appreciated by the House of Representatives. We know you have a very difficult and tough job. Because, Mr. Speaker, we are not only talking about people who come to this country illegally, between 8,000 and 10,000 every week that come across the border illegally. We are talking about the possibility of terrorists. I have said many times on the floor of this House that I am more concerned about terrorism coming from Central and South America than I am coming from Iraq and Afghanistan, quite frankly. And these are the men and women who are in the remote areas of America trying to defend the borders to protect the American citizen. So I am pleased tonight to say that we will have a chance tonight, or tomorrow, I guess, to vote on this resolution to say to those in the United States Border Patrol, we appreciate you. You are doing a very valuable job, a very important job for this country. I live in North Carolina. I do not have Border Patrol in my State, but I do appreciate those that are on the border in the Southwest and other parts of the United States. So, with that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I am just going to make a couple of comments, and then I am going to finish. I want to first thank Ms. Sanchez and Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee for her comments and what she stated as well as Ms. Sanchez and my friend, Mr. Souder from Indiana, and Mr. Rohrabacher from California. I think that we all agree that this resolution is important, and I just want to say that I would agree with the comments made by Ms. Sanchez that we need to make sure that the border patrol has what it needs to secure the borders for this great Nation. I want to say to Ms. Jackson-Lee, as well as Mr. Rohrabacher, that we do need to make sure that these agents had been treated fairly in the process as it related to the indictment. I would say to Mr. Souder, I thank you as well as other Members who serve on the Homeland Security Committee for your leadership to make sure that we do protect our borders. The only other point I would like to make, Mr. Speaker, is that it has been made by these people who live in California and Texas and even my friend from Indiana, as well as my friends from California, that this is a very difficult job. These are men and women that are dedicated. They are not doing it for the money. They are doing it for the love of this country. And what they are doing is the same thing that our military does and that is try to make America secure.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am on the floor today to express appreciation for the more than 12,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents who perform an invaluable service to our Nation. Though support for the U.S. Border Patrol and other law enforcement officers often goes unspoken, the American people and Members of Congress owe our sincere appreciation for these courageous men and women for their dedication to keeping our Nation safe by protecting our borders. While protecting the United States from an influx of illegal immigration, drugs, counterfeit goods, and terrorists, U.S. Border Patrol agents face high-risk situations and dangerous environments while working on our borders. Often working alone in some of the most remote and dangerous areas of the country, these agents routinely encounter heavily armed human and drug traffickers. Despite these dangerous conditions, the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol work tirelessly to protect our Nation's borders, and they deserve the utmost praise for their dedication and bravery. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, two U.S. Border Patrol agents who deserve our appreciation have instead become victims of a grave injustice. Agents Ramos and Compean were found guilty in a Federal court for wounding a drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across our southern border into Texas. These agents now face up to 20 years in Federal prison. Agent Ramos served the Border Patrol for 9 years and was a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year. Agent Compean had 5 years of experience as a Border Patrol agent. These agents never should have been prosecuted for their actions last year. By attempting to apprehend a Mexican drug smuggler, these agents were simply doing their job to protect the American people. These agents should have been commended for their actions, but instead the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the agents and granted full immunity to the drug smuggler for his testimony against our agents. The drug smuggler received full medical care in El Paso, Texas, was permitted to return to Mexico, and is now suing the Border Patrol for $5 million for violating his civil rights. He is not an American citizen. He is a criminal. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken to numerous people inside Texas and outside of Texas regarding this outrage, including the attorney for one of these agents. I have written to the President of the United States, asking him to please look into this matter. I have written two letters to Attorney General Gonzales, asking him to reopen this case for a fuller investigation before these men are sentenced in October of this year. I hope that the American people will agree that this prosecution is an outrageous injustice and that the situation must be investigated. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will close by asking my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to please join us in this and find out why these two agents were prosecuted and will be sent to a Federal prison on October 19. Mr. Speaker, I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform and their families.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2334, sponsored by Congresswoman Lois Capps, authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in a water recycling and desalting project with the city of Oxnard, California. As water demands grow and supplies become more scarce in southern Carolina, this bill will help provide regional water supply solutions to the Oxnard Plain. Using an innovative recycling and groundwater injection system, this program will provide many regional benefits and is designed to help meet the city's water supply needs through the year 2030. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise their remarks and include extraneous material.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to support S. 260, the Partners For Fish and Wildlife Act, and compliment the House and Senate authors of this legislation, Representative John Sullivan and Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma. This is not a new Federal program. It has been administratively managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over two decades. It is based on the innovative concept that wildlife populations and their habitats can be effectively conserved, managed and restored through voluntary agreements between private landowners and the Federal Government. During the past 20 years, more than 35,000 agreements have been signed throughout the United States. The result has been remarkable with the protection, restoration and enhancement of nearly 2.5 million acres of important fish and wildlife habitat. In specific terms, over 700,000 acres of wetlands, 1.5 million acres of upland habitat and 6,000 miles of riparian and instream habitat have been restored. In addition, over 120,000 acres have been treated for invasive species, and 194 barriers to the fish passage have been removed. What this legislation simply proposes is to build upon the existing successes by converting the line item within the Fish and Wildlife Service budget to a congressionally authorized program. By so doing, we will provide stability to the program, highlight the benefits of public and private partnership, and increase the amount of congressional oversight in the future. S. 260 is strongly supported by the Bush administration to States, private landowners and wildlife conservation organizations. The Partners Program has been a huge success, and we should ensure that this innovative program will flourish in the future. I urge an ``aye'' vote on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.