Kendrick Meek: “I want to commend Chairman Rogers for both of us working together, along with the members of our subcommittee and also…”

“I want to commend Chairman Rogers for both of us working together, along with the members of our subcommittee and also full committee. I think that this bill is about retention, recruitment and respect for the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol. Specifically, this bill will allow bonuses and recruitment and retention of the additional Border Patrol agents that are needed. Just today in committee we heard from the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Mr. Chertoff, who talked about our SpyNet program that is now ongoing and was just awarded to the Boeing Company. We are going to need Border Patrol agents that can be on the border that can respond to what is seen on television on this recorded and tour system that they are going to put along the borders. I think it is also important to recognize that the flexibility as it relates to this piece of legislation is going to be very, very important for us to make sure that we have enough border agents. It would also allow the Department to rehire retired Border Patrol agents that are willing to serve their country.”