IN MEMORY AND HONOR OF CHRIS AND BOB EGGLE
(House of Representatives - March 05, 2003)

[Page: H1607]

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The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bishop of Utah). Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce two homeland heroes. They are Robert Eggle and his late son, Chris.

Chris was a brilliant young park ranger in the Organ Pipes Cactus National Park in Arizona when he was brutally murdered by an illegal alien who had crossed into the United States after committing two murders in Mexico. Chris was in the front lines on a battlefield we pay far too little attention to. He gave his life in service to the country, and certainly deserves the designation as homeland hero.

But I want to introduce another homeland hero, and that is Chris's father, Bob, the gentleman here in this picture to my left. Mr. Eggle is an incredible individual with whom I had the opportunity to spend some time in Arizona just a couple of weeks ago. He has become an incredibly articulate spokesman for the cause of homeland security. He understands fully that that security begins with the security of our border.

Mr. Eggle and several others, as well as Members of the House, including the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg) endured the trip to the very spot in Organ Pipe Cactus National Park where his son was killed. And I say "endured the trip" because, as anyone can imagine, this was a difficult undertaking for anyone, especially the father of the murdered victim. But Mr. Eggle's stoic character was a true inspiration for all of us who were with him that day. He was an inspiration as we traveled to the spot where his son was killed. He was an inspiration as we stood and he led us in silent prayer for his son.

Mr. Eggle does not, understandably, does not want his son's death to be forgotten by this Nation. He wants to make it an example for others. He wants people to understand that there are many folks on the border like Chris, who put themselves in harm's way every day to try to protect those borders. But he also recognizes that we are in sort of a halfhearted war on those borders because we really do not fully support the men and women who we send to defend them.

Chris was not trained to deal with terrorists. Chris was not trained to deal with people coming across that border with AK-47s and carrying tons of drugs and all the things we know go on along that southern border. It is, in fact, a war zone. If anybody does not believe that, they should go to Cochese County and spend some time there, spend some time with the rangers, spend some time with Mr. Eggle.

Mr. Eggle stated recently, "I gave an eye for one war, now I have given my son in another. What is our President going to do about the war on our borders?" This is an excellent question, Mr. Eggle. It is one that should be asked not just of the President of the United States, but of all the Members of this body, because we have essentially abandoned Mr. Eggle. We have abandoned the people who live along the border to the ravages of what I believe can be called nothing less than an invasion. Their homes are being destroyed. Their families are being destroyed. Their lives are being destroyed.

Chris Eggle's life was taken. Bob Eggle lives to tell us the tale and to help and to ask us to remember. That is the least we can do for Mr. Eggle, a true homeland hero.

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