[Pages H1190-H1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING ASSISTANCE TO MEXICO IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUG
VIOLENCE

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1032) expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives that the United States should continue to
assist the Mexican Government in fighting the drug cartels and curbing
violence against Mexican and United States citizens, both in the United
States and abroad, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 1032

Whereas Mr. Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo, a United
States citizen and resident of California, was senselessly
murdered on December 31, 2009, at the young age of 33 while
vacationing with his family in the city of Gomez Palacio,
Durango, Mexico;
Whereas Bobby Salcedo was a rising star in the community,
had just been elected to his second term as a member of the
El Monte City School Board, and served as the vice principal
and football coach at his alma mater, Mountain View High
School;
Whereas Bobby Salcedo was studying for his doctorate in
educational leadership at the University of California, Los
Angeles, after having earned his bachelor's degree in history
from California State University, Long Beach, and a master's
degree in educational administration from California State
University, San Bernardino;
Whereas Bobby Salcedo, the son of immigrant parents, sought
to chart a better course for his entire community, serving as
a local leader for such organizations as the South El Monte/
Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico Sister City Organization;
Whereas, on December 31, 2009, Mr. Salcedo was having
dinner in Mexico in a restaurant with family and friends when
a group of armed and masked men burst in and forcibly removed
Mr. Salcedo and 5 other men;
Whereas Mr. Salcedo was killed execution-style with a
single gunshot to the head;
Whereas Bobby Salcedo's body, along with the bodies of the
5 other men, was found several hours later dumped in a field
near a canal;
Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been asked
by the Government of Mexico to assist in investigating the
death of Mr. Salcedo;
Whereas innocents are directly impacted by drug-related
violence in Mexico;
Whereas the Mexican drug cartels are major producers and
suppliers to the United States market for heroin,
methamphetamine, and marijuana and the major transit country
for 90 percent of the cocaine sold in the United States;
Whereas the National Drug Intelligence Center, a component
of the U.S. Department of Justice, has identified Mexican
drug trafficking organizations as ``the greatest drug
trafficking threat to the United States'';
Whereas the illegal trafficking of firearms, including from
the United States to Mexico, contributes to drug-related
violence, and the United States-Mexico Joint Statement on the
Merida Initiative on October 22, 2007, stated that the United
States will ``continue to combat trafficking of weapons and
bulk currency to Mexico.'';
Whereas the Mexican drug cartels have become increasingly
violent, killing at least 5,600 people in 2008 and more than
7,000 people in 2009;
Whereas the Mexican State of Durango, where Bobby Salcedo's
execution took place, is one of the most violent with more
than 700 recorded gang related killings in 2009;
Whereas the Government of President Felipe Calderon has
significantly stepped up Mexico's efforts to confront the
drug cartels and end the violence, deploying some 45,000
troops and 5,000 police throughout Mexico; and
Whereas the United States Congress has appropriated over
$1,300,000,000 under the Merida Initiative to help Mexico
break the power and impunity of the drug cartels, assist the
Government of Mexico in strengthening its judicial and law
enforcement institutions, curtail gang activity in Mexico,
and disrupt demand for and distribution of drugs in the
region: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses sorrow at the death of Mr. Agustin Roberto
``Bobby'' Salcedo;
(2) supports continued cooperation between the United
States Government and the Government of Mexico to help
identify and convict Mr. Salcedo's killers;
(3) calls on the Governments of the United States and
Mexico to increase cooperation to prosecute those responsible
for the drug-related killings of innocents in Mexico, be they
United States or Mexican citizens; and
(4) reaffirms its continued support for bilateral
cooperation with Mexico to break the power of the Mexican
drug cartels and turn the tide of violence.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Clay). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) and the gentlewoman from Florida
(Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.

General Leave

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
On December 31, Mr. Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo, a high school
vice principal and school board member, and a young leader of several
local organizations, was brutally murdered while on a family vacation
in Durango state, Mexico, at the hands of violent men with ties to
Mexican drug cartels.

[[Page H1191]]

While enjoying the company of family and friends at a restaurant in
the city of Gomez Palacio, Mr. Salcedo and five other patrons were
taken hostage by a group of masked, armed individuals. They were all
subsequently killed execution-style, their bodies discovered in a field
a few hours later.
This incident is a tragic example of the drug-related violence that
is plaguing Mexico today. Reliable estimates suggest that more than
16,000 people have died in drug-related violence since President Felipe
Calderon declared a war on drug traffickers in January 2007, including
almost 8,000 deaths in 2009 alone and over 1,000 so far this year.
Many of those killed each year are associated with the drug trade,
but there has been an alarming increase in the number of innocent
bystanders who have become victims of the violence, including Mr.
Salcedo. Last year, more than 500 women and children were killed by
these cartels. The Department of Justice has identified the Mexican
cartels as ``the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United
States.'' Indeed, these cartels are major producers and suppliers of
heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana to the United States drug market
and the major transit country for 90 percent of the cocaine sold in the
United States.
In light of horrific events such as Mr. Salcedo's senseless murder,
which the FBI continues to investigate, alongside Mexican authorities,
we must continue to seek justice for all American citizens and other
innocents harmed by drug-related violence.
Mr. Salcedo was a respected member of his El Monte, California,
community, and an inspiration to so many of his students. His friends
and family deserve to see that his murderers and their patrons are
brought to justice. The United States must continue to work with Mexico
to break the grip of the powerful drug cartels, curtail violence,
reduce arms trafficking from the United States to Mexico, and diminish
the demand for drugs throughout North America.
It is important that we express our solidarity with the Mexican
people and government who are on the front lines of the fight against
the cartels, and that we work together closely to address the drug-
related violence that has had such a devastating effect on both of our
countries.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague in supporting the
ongoing cooperation between the United States and Mexico to fight the
drug cartels and curb the drug-related violence which is increasingly
impacting our citizens on both sides of the border. There is no doubt
that through the Merida Initiative, significant gains have been made
against narcotraffickers and organized crime in Mexico over the past
couple of years.
However, as is to be expected, the harder we fight to get them off
the streets, the harder they fight to stay there. More than 7,000
people were killed at the hands of drug-related violence in Mexico last
year alone. One of those victims is recognized in this resolution, Mr.
Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo, a U.S. citizen and resident of
California. Mr. Salcedo was in Mexico visiting his family, and was with
family on New Year's Eve when, as the resolution states, he was
callously abducted and murdered by a group of masked, armed men. His
family has yet to learn why.
Unfortunately, Mr. Salcedo's story is one that many of us are
becoming all too familiar with. Over 14 months ago, Mr. Felix Batista,
a constituent of my congressional district, disappeared in Mexico. He
has not been heard from or seen since. I have worked closely with many
of my colleagues in the Florida delegation, both in the House and the
Senate, especially our Florida Senator Bill Nelson, to try to help his
family over the last year. And while it is my understanding that the
FBI and Mexican authorities were investigating his case, his family has
yet to gain a better understanding of exactly what happened to Mr.
Batista on December 10, 2008.
The tragic disappearance of Mr. Batista and so many other Americans
who have been victims of violence in Mexico demonstrates that the
security challenges facing our neighbor in the south also pose a threat
to the safety of our Nation and our citizens. It is critical that we
continue to work with Mexico and other democratic partners in the
region to present a united front against narcotraffickers in our
hemisphere. We especially must not forget our partners in Colombia.
While there is no doubt that tremendous advances have been made, the
premature reduction in assistance to Colombia would undoubtedly put
these great gains at risk. Much hard work remains to be done in
Colombia and throughout the region.
Together we can successfully confront the transnational nature of
these criminals and their illicit activities.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).
Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution
1032, a resolution to honor Agustin ``Bobby'' Salcedo, an exemplary
American citizen who was the victim of a shocking murder in Mexico, and
to urge the United States to be resolute in its efforts to help Mexico
fight the drug cartels.
This past December, Bobby traveled to Gomez Palacio in the Mexican
state of Durango to visit his wife's family for the holidays. On New
Year's Eve, he was out with family and friends at a local restaurant
when gunmen burst in and dragged Bobby, along with five other men, out
of the restaurant at gunpoint. They were then each shot to death
execution-style. The next day, all six bodies were found dumped in a
ditch. Bobby was only 33 years old.
I met Bobby early in his career. Having grown up in my district, in
El Monte, California, he was dedicated to improving the lives of
children in his community. He was an elected school board member in the
El Monte School District. He returned to his alma mater to become its
assistant principal and was studying for his doctorate in education at
UCLA. It was clear to everyone who knew him that he was going
somewhere. He was a rising star.
After the investigation began, it was confirmed that none of the six
murder victims were connected to the drug trade in any way. Bobby and
the others were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their deaths
exemplify the growing number of innocent bystanders who are becoming
victimized by cartel violence in Mexico. It had seemed as though the
situation could not get worse. However, only weeks after Bobby was
murdered, the lead state investigator in his case was also shot dead by
the drug cartels.
Bobby's murder brings to the forefront two critical issues: the
urgency in finding the killers of Bobby Salcedo, and the importance of
reducing the violence of the drug cartels in Mexico. There must be
justice in the murder of Bobby Salcedo, but the challenges are great.
The state of Durango is one of the most violent in Mexico. In 2009,
there were 637 cartel-style murders in Durango, and not one of the
cases has been solved by the police. State authorities are limited in
their resources, and the cartels have successfully corrupted or scared
away many officials from interfering in their business.
That is why I have asked the Mexican Government to make every effort
to bring the full force of the federal government on the Salcedo
murder. The federal government's strong stance against organized crime
offers hope in this case. The federal government has greater resources
at their disposal, such as forensic equipment, manpower, and training.
Although the federal government has yet to federalize Bobby's case, I
am hopeful they will realize this case is a symbol for both of our
countries and can demonstrate to all parties that progress can be made.
We cannot allow the death of innocent bystanders, of American
citizens, to pass without consequence. Until there is true
accountability for the violence, there is little incentive for the drug
lords to keep peace. But the overall solution is not stopping the
violence of the drug cartels. The U.S. must be resolute in supporting
Mexico's efforts to combat the drug trade and its violent consequences.
There has been progress. President Felipe

[[Page H1192]]

Calderon made the combating of drug violence his focal point. He
greatly increased efforts on the Federal level to track down the drug
kingpins and reduce their supply lines.

{time} 1530

In 2007 the United States and Mexico worked together to pass the
Merida Initiative. This agreement took Mexican and American cooperation
to a whole new level, providing over $1.3 billion to support the
Mexican Government in its fight. The funds went to helicopters,
surveillance aircraft, interdiction equipment, nonintrusive inspection
equipment and improved data collection capabilities, as well as
provided for training programs and institution building in Mexico.
But now we are at a critical point. The Merida Initiative will expire
at the end of this year, the war has not been won, and the violence
grows more disturbing each day. That is why Congress and the
administration must decide now how to implement the next phase of this
partnership.
In my conversations with law enforcement and state departments, three
elements are critical in a new initiative: fighting the massive money
laundering of funds out of the U.S., improving the forensic technology
available to Mexican law enforcement entities, and helping Mexico
rebuild its judicial institutions.
On money laundering: Every year between $8 billion to $10 billion is
smuggled out of the U.S. by the drug cartels. Even as our law
enforcement agencies are improving their ability to stop these funds
from leaving the country, the cartels are finding novel ways to launder
money. They are using money service businesses, online services, and
even legitimate retail businesses as fronts for their illegal
transactions, and they are also using massive bulk cash transfers.
Stopping the money laundering gets at the heart of the drug cartel
operation.
On technology: Mexican state and local law enforcement agencies are
sorely lacking in the appropriate technology to combat these well-armed
cartels. We must focus more of our efforts on the local institutions to
provide them with 21st-century law enforcement technology.
And on the judiciary: until we have a partner with a strong judiciary
and objective law enforcement, the cartels will continue to run free.
By providing resources to train law enforcement and rooting out
corruption amongst them, drug kingpins will be forced to face the
consequences of their actions.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I yield an additional 30 seconds for my
colleague to sum up.
Ms. CHU. Now is the time to pass this resolution. Bobby Salcedo's
death is a brutal reminder that this violence is a growing threat not
just to Mexicans, but also to Americans. Bringing his killers to
justice will vindicate his death, and ending the violence in Mexico
will save the lives of thousands of innocent victims in this gruesome
war. For these reasons, I urge you to vote in favor of this resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate our
colleague from California (Ms. Chu) for her leadership on this issue.
I was in Mexico just about 1 year ago, and clearly the unfolding
violence is something that ought to be of great concern to every
American. It is just on the southern part of our border, and frankly it
is something that is very alarming in its scope and in its unparalleled
violence. I thank our colleague from California for bringing this once
again to the attention of the United States Congress.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1032.
H. Res. 1032 not only stresses the need to work with the Mexican law
enforcement community in the fight against drug cartels, it also honors
the life of El Monte resident, Agustin Roberto ``Bobby'' Salcedo. El
Monte is a great city in the San Gabriel Valley which Congresswoman
Chu, the author of this resolution, and I represent. I am pleased to be
a cosponsor of H. Res. 1032 and I want to thank Congresswoman Chu for
her hard work on this important issue, and her dedication to the
Salcedo family and the El Monte community.
Mr. Salcedo was an innocent bystander in the relentless, ongoing drug
war that is being waged throughout Mexico. He was viciously murdered,
along with five other men, while visiting family in Mexico over the
holidays. It is clear that Bobby Salcedo touched the lives of thousands
through his work as a teacher, coach and school administrator and I
offer my deepest condolences his family and friends. The community of
El Monte lost an outstanding family man, friend, colleague and
educator.
Unfortunately Mr. Salcedo is not the only innocent victim in this
drug war. As noted in H. Res. 1032, there has been an outbreak of
violence in Mexico and individuals who have no connection whatsoever to
the drug cartels are in danger. I will continue to support efforts in
Congress to ensure that our law enforcement have the resources they
need to end drug related violence in Mexico and the United States. This
will not be an easy task. The cartels are ruthless in their desire to
continue the brutality.
The Mexican government and the FBI are working together to solve Mr.
Salcedo's murder. It is my hope that with continued cooperation between
law enforcement agencies in both the United States and Mexico, the
individuals who committed this senseless crime against Mr. Salcedo will
soon be brought to justice.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Res. 1032, ``Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that
the United States should continue to assist the Mexican Government in
fighting the drug cartels and curbing violence against Mexican and
United States citizens, both in the United States and abroad.''
Let me begin by thanking my colleague Representative Judy Chu for
introducing this resolution, as it is vitally important both to our
national security and the safety of the American people that we
confront the problem of transnational drug trafficking and attempt to
reduce the violence associated with the trade of narcotics.
Violence related to the drug trade has hit catastrophic proportions
over the last few years. Just across the United States-Mexico border
from my home state of Texas a battle is being waged by armed gangs for
the control of the illicit transnational drug market. In Mexico alone,
drug cartels killed at least 5,600 people in 2008 and that number
increased to more than 7,000 people in 2009. I condemn in the strongest
possible terms this type of senseless violence and will work to see
that violence against civilians in the U.S. and in Mexico is curbed or
eliminated.
Unfortunately, execution-style killings and kidnappings have become
the norm in many Mexican cities like Ciudad Juarez and Gomez Palacio as
drug cartels attempt to extend the reach of their power and institute a
sense of fear over the local populations.
In one of the most atrocious acts of violence against an innocent
U.S. citizen, Bobby Salcedo was killed execution-style while
vacationing in Mexico by a single gunshot to the head after being
kidnapped. Mr. Salcedo was kidnapped while at dinner with family and
friends in a restaurant and had no apparent connections to the drug or
arms trade.
Mr. Salcedo was a pillar of his community in El Monte City,
California where he served on the local School Board, and also served
as the vice principal and football coach of Mountain View High School.
Mr. Salcedo also served as a local leader for such organizations as the
South El Monte/Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico Sister City Organization.
Furthermore, Mr. Salcedo was in the process of earning a doctoral
degree in educational leadership at the University of California, Los
Angeles, and had previously earned his bachelor's degree in history
from California State University, Long Beach, and a master's degree in
educational administration from California State University, San
Bernardino.
Violence from the drug trade has also created many problems in my
home city of Houston, Texas. Houston has one of the highest murder
rates among U.S. cities with a population over 1 million. Furthermore,
much of this violence likely stems from the fact that Houston is a
major hub for drug traffickers, who supply cocaine, marijuana, heroin,
and methamphetamine to distributors in other American markets. Many of
these issues surrounding violence also stem from the problem of
transnational gangs and organized crime cartels.
There are currently at least seven drug cartel organizations
operating between the U.S. and Mexico. These groups are not only
involved in the illicit transportation of drugs but are also involved
in the illicit trade of firearms, execution of public officials and
these groups have also terrorized entire local populations.
Many of these gangs and cartel organizations also have vast links and
networks within the U.S., some even managing to penetrate American
Junior High and High Schools. It is important that we recognize this
threat and work towards the dissolution of these groups

[[Page H1193]]

and continue to promote legitimate transnational trade and exchange.
I would like to commend the Mexican Government under the leadership
of President Felipe Calderon for having significantly increased their
efforts to stop the drug cartels and end the violence, deploying some
45,000 troops and 5,000 police throughout Mexico. We in the U.S. will
continue to support the Mexican Government as we did in 2008 when over
$1,300,000,000 was appropriated to the Mexican Government to fight the
illicit drug trade. This money was appropriated under the Merida
Initiative to help break the power of the drug cartels, assist the
Mexican Government in strengthening its military organizations, to help
improve the capacity of its justice system, curtail gang activity in
Mexico, and to diminish demand for drugs in the region
It is important that we continue to work vigilantly towards breaking
the illicit drug trade links and networks between the U.S. and Mexico
while working together to create a bright future through legitimate
commercial and financial trade between our two great nations. I am
quite confident that through a concerted effort towards increasing
transnational trade and creating opportunities in the legitimate sector
we can work towards a brighter future for both the U.S. and Mexico.
I ask that my colleagues support this resolution. I also ask my
colleagues for their continued support of anti-drug trade measures as
well as their support for ending the spate of violence that has become
associated with the drug trade.
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1032, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Expressing
the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should
continue to assist the Government of Mexico in fighting the drug
cartels and curbing violence against Mexican and United States
citizens, both in the United States and abroad.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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