Recognizing Randy J. Howe

Floor Speech

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Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Randy J. Howe on his retirement after 34 years spent protecting our nation's borders. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mr. Howe for his service to our great nation.

After graduating from Niagara University in 1988, Mr. Howe joined the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in San Diego, California. He went on to work for the newly established U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where he held various leadership positions, including Preclearance Director, Buffalo Area Port Director, Executive Director of Operations at the CBP Headquarters, and eventually Director of Field Operations for the Laredo Field Office.

As a native of Laredo, Texas, and a strong supporter of our law enforcement agencies along the border, I know just how demanding Mr. Howe's job can be. He and his colleagues are on the front lines of the battle against the importation of illicit drugs and human smuggling. His work is also critical to supporting trade and unlocking supply chains across North America.

Mr. Howe is responsible for operation and enforcement activities at eight international ports of entry that span 450 miles in South Texas. He leads over 3,300 dedicated officers across 18 international crossings, eight airports, three rail crossings, two dams, a seaport, and a ferry. He also leads the Machinery Center of Excellence, which manages 37 partner accounts, incorporating 191 importers of records representing some of the nation's largest corporations.

I would also like to recognize Mr. Howe's family. He and his wife, Athina, are celebrating 30 years of marriage. His children have followed in their father's footsteps to serve the public good: his son, Mackenzie, is also a CBP officer, and his daughter, Angelina, is a registered nurse.

On behalf of the 28th District of Texas and on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to congratulate Mr. Howe on his well-deserved retirement and thank him for his decades of service. I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life.

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