WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and 16 of their Senate colleagues introduced a resolution to commemorate the 101^st anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol, honoring the brave men and women of the Border Patrol for their unwavering service, dedication, and countless sacrifices to our nation.

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), James Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) also cosponsored the resolution. Text is below, and you can view the full resolution here.

“Whereas the Mounted Guard was assigned to the Immigration Service under the Department of Commerce and Labor from 1904 to 1924;

Whereas the founding members of this Mounted Guard included Texas Rangers, sheriffs, and deputized cowboys who patrolled the Texas frontier looking for smugglers, rustlers, and people illegally entering the United States;

Whereas, following the Department of Labor Appropriation Act of May 28, 1924, the U.S. Border Patrol was established within the Bureau of Immigration, with an initial force of 450 patrol inspectors, an annual budget of $1,000,000, and $1,300 in annual pay for each patrol inspector, with each patrolman furnishing his own horse;

Whereas changes regarding illegal immigration and increases of contraband alcohol traffic brought about the need for this young patrol force to have formal training in border enforcement;

Whereas on March 1, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security was established, and the U.S. Border Patrol became part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of the new Department;

Whereas, during the U.S. Border Patrol’s 101-year history, Border Patrol agents have been deputized as United States Marshals on numerous occasions;

Whereas the present force of more than 19,000 agents and 3,000 professional staff, who are located in 131 stations and 34 permanent checkpoints under 20 sectors, is responsible for protecting more than 8,000 miles of international land and water boundaries, preventing terrorists and terrorists weapons, including weapons of mass destruction, from entering the United States, and providing humanitarian assistance in response to numerous natural disasters and to emergencies that have occurred along the United States’ international borders;

Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol’s highly trained and motivated personnel have been called upon to perform their duties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of scorching southern desert heat or freezing northern winters, and have worked tirelessly as vigilant protectors of our Nation’s borders;

Whereas every day the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol put their lives on the line protecting the United States and 163 Border Patrol agents, while serving with honor and integrity, have lost their lives in the line of duty;

Whereas the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol have demonstrated a continued commitment to mission, not only through the prevention, detection, and apprehension of those who seek to enter or reenter the United States illegally, but also through the detection and identification of victims of human traffickers and the transnational criminal organizations who profit from the forced movement and labor of such victims, and through the interdiction and seizure of illegal and deadly narcotics, such as fentanyl, before such drugs are further transported into the interior of the United States;

Whereas through a combination of enforcement of the immigration laws, increases in immigration prosecutions for illegal entry and reentry, continued use of technology, and partnering with other law enforcement entities, including the National Guard, as a force multiplier, the U.S. Border Patrol has seen a significant decrease in border encounters and apprehensions;

Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol continues to have a historic mission and a firm commitment to the enforcement of immigration laws: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) recognizes the 101st anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol on May 28, 2025;

(2) applauds the significant achievements of the U.S. Border Patrol;

(3) commends the tens of thousands of men and women who have served in the ranks of the U.S. Border Patrol;

(4) remembers the 163 agents and pilots who have lost their lives in the performance of their duties;

(5) commends those Border Patrol agents and their family members who have chosen to make service in the U.S. Border Patrol a family legacy of honor, service, and commitment to mission; and

(6) offers its support for policies that improve the working conditions for U.S. Border Patrol agents, increase access to cutting edge technology and equipment needed to secure the United States borders, and recruit, hire, and retain more qualified Border Patrol agents.