[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 246 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 246
Honoring the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration on
the 50th anniversary of the agency.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 13, 2023
Mr. Moran (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
July 18, 2023
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Honoring the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration on
the 50th anniversary of the agency.
Whereas the Drug Enforcement Administration (referred to in this preamble as the
``DEA'') was--
(1) established on July 1, 1973 by Reorganization Plan Numbered 2 of
1973 (87 Stat. 1091; 5 U.S.C. App.); and
(2) given the responsibility to coordinate the whole of the Federal
Government approach related to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances
Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.);
Whereas the more than 10,000 men and women of the DEA, including special agents,
intelligence research specialists, diversion investigators, program
analysts, forensic chemists, attorneys, and administrative support
staff, as well as more than 3,000 task force officers, representing
hundreds of State and local law enforcement agencies across the
country--
(1) serve the United States with courage; and
(2) are committed to serving and protecting public safety, public
health, and the national security of the United States from drug
trafficking, drug misuse, and related violence;
Whereas, during the 50 years since the establishment of the DEA, the agency has
targeted and dismantled transnational drug trafficking organizations and
brought to justice the most dangerous and prolific drug trafficking
criminals from around the world;
Whereas, throughout the 50-year history of the DEA, the agency has continually
adapted to evolving trends of major transnational drug cartels,
targeting the organizations involved in the manufacturing, trafficking,
and distribution of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine,
heroin, controlled prescription drugs, and other synthetic opioids;
Whereas the DEA has deployed enforcement and regulatory tools and strategies to
address the threat posed by new synthetic opioid substances, which--
(1) mimic the effects of known licit and illicit controlled substances,
including fentanyl;
(2) are largely responsible for driving the opioid epidemic that
claimed the lives of more than 107,000 individuals in the United States in
2021; and
(3) present the most significant threat to public health, public
safety, and the national security of the United States;
Whereas, with 93 foreign offices located in 69 countries, the DEA has the
largest international presence of any Federal law enforcement agency,
facilitating--
(1) close collaboration with international partners around the world
through information sharing, training, and technology; and
(2) the provision of resources that have resulted in the disruption or
dismantling of hundreds of transnational criminal organizations around the
world;
Whereas, throughout the history of the DEA, employees and members of task forces
of the agency have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, including
Emir Benitez, Gerald Sawyer, Leslie S. Grosso, Nickolas Fragos, Mary M.
Keehan, Charles H. Mann, Anna Y. Mounger, Anna J. Pope, Martha D.
Skeels, Mary P. Sullivan, Larry D. Wallace, Ralph N. Shaw, James T.
Lunn, Octavio Gonzalez, Francis J. Miller, Robert C. Lightfoot, Thomas
J. Devine, Larry N. Carwell, Marcellus Ward, Enrique S. Camarena, James
A. Avant, Charles M. Bassing, Kevin L. Brosch, Susan M. Hoefler, William
Ramos, Raymond J. Stastny, Arthur L. Cash, Terry W. McNett, George M.
Montoya, Paul S. Seema, Everett E. Hatcher, Rickie C. Finley, Joseph T.
Aversa, Wallie Howard, Jr., Eugene T. McCarthy, Alan H. Winn, George D.
Althouse, Becky L. Dwojeski, Stephen J. Strehl, Richard E. Fass, Frank
Fernandez, Jr., Jay W. Seale, Meredith Thompson, Juan C. Vars, Frank S.
Wallace, Jr., Shelly D. Bland, Rona L. Chafey, Carrol June Fields,
Carrie A. Lenz, Kenneth G. McCullough, Shaun E. Curl, Larry Steilen,
Royce D. Tramel, Alice Faye Hall-Walton, Elton Lee Armstead, Terry
Loftus, Donald C. Ware, Jay Balchunas, Thomas J. Byrne, Jr., Samuel
Hicks, Forrest N. Leamon, Chad L. Michael, Michael E. Weston, James
Terry Watson, Brent L. Hanger, Jorge R. DelRio, Stephen C. Arnold,
Michael G. Garbo, and Jody W. Cash; and
Whereas many other DEA employees and task force officers have been wounded or
injured in the line of duty, including 79 individuals who have received
the DEA Purple Heart Award: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration on
the occasion of its 50th anniversary;
(2) honors the heroic dedication of the employees of the
Drug Enforcement Administration who have paid the ultimate
price and sacrificed their lives or have been wounded or
injured in the service of the United States; and
(3) gives heartfelt thanks to all the men and women of the
Drug Enforcement Administration for their past and continued
efforts to protect the health and safety of the people of the
United States from transnational criminal networks and drugs
causing harm, violence, and death in the communities of the
United States.
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