Congressman Laments Death of Border Patrol Agent

Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement after receiving notification that U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry was shot and killed last night near Rio Rico, Arizona. Initial reports indicate that the shooting occurred on federal lands located within Arizona’s Coronado National Forest. Bishop serves as Western Caucus Chairman and is the Ranking Member on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands. “It is unacceptable that our federal lands continue to serve as drug trafficking and human smuggling superhighways. It’s no secret why criminal organizations entering the U.S. from Mexico strategically target federal lands as the most ideal and secure route to traffic drugs, smuggle humans and carry out a host of other criminal acts. Strict environmental regulations are enabling a culture of unprecedented lawlessness that has led to numerous deaths on federal lands, including yesterday’s tragic death of Agent Terry. “I am outraged by the current administration’s inaction and refusal to address the immediate need to secure our federal lands. Despite the inherent need, and the loss of far too many lives on federal lands, Secretary Salazar and others in the current administration continue to place radical special interest policies over the security of this country. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and colleagues of Agent Terry. I lament the fact that the criminal activity on federal lands continues to go unaddressed.”...Press Release