Reyes sworn into 111th Congress
1/6/2009
Washington, D.C.
News
REYES SWORN INTO 111TH CONGRESS BY SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI
Reyes marks his 13th year representing the people of El Paso, will retain Chairmanship of House Intelligence Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, today was sworn into the 111th Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, marking his 13th year representing the 16th District of Texas. He will also continue to serve as the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 111th Congress. Reyes was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 and was appointed to his Chairmanship by Speaker Pelosi in 2006. Reyes is currently the only full committee Chairman in the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Texas.
"I am deeply honored to represent the people of El Paso in the U.S. House of Representatives for another term," Congressman Reyes said. "Our country is currently facing one of the worst economic recessions in our nation's history, and I intend to work closely with my colleagues in Congress, and with President-elect Obama, to pass legislation that will help move America forward again."
After serving his country in Vietnam, Reyes decided to devote his life to public service. In 1969, he began his career with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in the U.S. Border Patrol. After serving as an agent, immigration inspector, and instructor at the Border Patrol Academy, he was promoted to Assistant Regional Commissioner in Dallas, Texas, where he served for five years. In this capacity, he was responsible for administering a budget program exceeding $100 million for a 13-state area.
In 1984, Reyes was promoted to Sector Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, and served in McAllen and El Paso until 1995. Reyes quickly became known as one of our government's strongest and most effective innovators in border management. In McAllen and El Paso, Reyes initiated forward-thinking programs such as "Operation Hold the Line," the Border Patrol's Canine Program, and the Border Patrol's National Anti-Drug School Education Program. "Hold the Line" continues to be part of the Department of Homeland Security's strategy for the entire Southwest border and earned Reyes recognition from the White House, the U.S. Congress, the Department of Justice, the INS, and others.
Known as "Silver" to his friends, Reyes retired from the U.S. Border Patrol in December 1995 after 26 1/2 years to run for Congress. In December 2006, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi selected Reyes to be Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a committee on which Reyes has served since 2001. The committee drafts the laws that govern, authorize funding for, and provide Congressional oversight of the 16 agencies that comprise the U.S. intelligence community, which includes the CIA and components of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, State and Energy.
Reyes arrived in Washington in 1997 with a plan to provide leadership on border issues, improve and enhance education in El Paso, and support our nation's defense by enhancing El Paso’s regional military facilities at Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. In 1996, Fort Bliss was in danger of shutting down as part of the BRAC realignment. As a result of Reyes efforts, together with other community partners, Fort Bliss is now on track to become one of the largest military facilities in the country. The base will be home to approximately 37,000 troops in the next few years, adding over $5 billion annually to El Paso's economy.
# # #
Vincent M. Perez
202-225-4831
vincent.perez@mail.house.gov
|
