Sean Reyes: “I want to offer my personal experience. Back in 1969 when I first joined the Border Patrol as a young officer freshly…”

“I want to offer my personal experience. Back in 1969 when I first joined the Border Patrol as a young officer freshly out of the military after spending 13 months in Vietnam, I went to a station where I was only one of three Latinos. And had it not been for the fact that I was able to join the Border Patrol Union, I would have not had a career in the Border Patrol for 26 rac{1}{2} ext{ years. Union protection is vital and important, specifically for minorities, but for all employees. To somehow draw the conclusion that to be able to have bargaining rights would be contrary to this Nation's national security is wrong. I intend to oppose the Shays amendment and I intend to oppose anything that would put in jeopardy the kinds of rights that gave me the opportunity to serve this country proudly in the United States Border Patrol, both as an agent ultimately retiring as the Chief. I would rather have our employees have the protection and have to deal with a problem employee as a responsibility of a chief than to subject employees to no protections.”