Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome Gil Kerlikowske, recently confirmed as Commissioner of the United States Customs and Border Protection. I am pleased to welcome a Commissioner who has an understanding of the needs of the northern border, as he previously served as police commissioner for the city of Buffalo. His firsthand experience comes at a critical time as we work to advance the United States-Canada Beyond the Border initiative. In western New York, this cross-border relationship is especially critical to the local economy. I worked with Customs and Border Protection in the past to advocate for increased border staffing levels along the border. At the Peace Bridge, there is also a pre-inspection pilot currently underway that hopes to ease congestion and shorten wait times. In the coming year, we hope to continue moving forward on plans to construct a new border station at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Commissioner Kerlikowske. I look forward to working closely with him and his staff on issues important to the Buffalo-Niagara region and the entire Nation. ____________________”