H.Res. 501

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 501 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 501

Honoring the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration on 
the 50th anniversary of the agency.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 13, 2023

Mr. Rogers of Kentucky (for himself and Mr. Cartwright) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

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 by an Executive order on July 1, 1973; and

(2) given the responsibility to coordinate the whole of the Federal 
Government's approach related to the enforcement of the Controlled 
Substances Act;

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 the public safety, public 
health, and national security of the people 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 the agency's 
task forces 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 who have received the DEA 
Purple Heart Award: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the Drug Enforcement Administration on 
the occasion of its 50th anniversary;
(2) honors the heroic dedication of the employees of the 
agency who have paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their 
lives or who 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 our communities.
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