Xavier Becerra: “I hope this body will recognize that Chairman Istook and Ranking Member Hoyer were instrumental in ensuring that the…”

“I hope this body will recognize that Chairman Istook and Ranking Member Hoyer were instrumental in ensuring that the Customs Service received the $36 million which it needed for up-front reconstruction to enable it to reestablish operations in New York and begin to replace badly needed equipment in a very short period of time. We owe a great deal of gratitude to both of those gentlemen and all the members of the Committee on Appropriations who made that possible. Further, the congressional support that was offered quickly to the Customs Service provided for overtime funding for inspectors and agents and was critical in helping them to complete their assignment to battle against terrorism, to patrol our airspace, and to safeguard our coastal waters. This prompt response gave Customs the tools it needed to secure our borders quickly in the face of immediate threat. To the men and women in Customs, we say, you have earned our respect and you deserve this tribute. I look very much forward to the vote in passing this resolution.”