Border Patrol Agents and Support Staff of Local 2455,

I am humbled, grateful and blessed for the trust you have placed on me, by allowing me to serve you as President of Local 2455 for the 2015-2017 term.  I sincerely appreciate the opportunity you have afforded me to serve each and every member of our local.

This election saw the most participation than any other election in the history of Local 2455.  I would like to thank all of the members who rallied to get out the vote during our elections and would like to thank the Election Committee for the countless hours they spent away from their families in order to make this election happen.  I am extremely thankful for every single member that came out to vote and made their voices heard at the ballot box.

Now that the elections are over, we must continue to address the issues that affect our members.  From daily issues that arise at our respective stations to issues that affect us at the national level, I give you my word that we will represent you the best that we possibly can.  Your newly elected Executive Board, Union Representatives and Union Attorneys will push for improved working conditions, increased resources that will allow us to secure the border, increased training to help us accomplish the mission and we will ensure that every U.S. Border Patrol Agent and Support Staff employee is afforded due process.

Furthermore, Local 2455 will continue to work with members of Congress, grassroots and media leaders who will assist us in delivering our message.  No longer are we who risk our lives protecting the border alone and without strong advocates in media and in grassroots political movements.  The politicallymotivated who seek to demonize us for doing our jobs are no longer able to attack us with impunity.  We now have a larger voice than ever before and our allies ensure that our voices are heard and the perspectives of Border Patrol Agents are shared just as loudly as those of naysayers and people who do not believe in the rule of law that is so vital to the fabric of our great nation.

Today is our day.  Now is the time for us to go even further in making sure the realities of our border are known to the American public and to make sure that no Border Patrol Agent is destroyed by disregard or political motivations from above.  Thank you again, Border Patrol Agents and Support Staff of Local 2455, for electing me to be a servant among you and to lead the defense of the heroes in green.

Stay Safe,

Hector Garza President, Local 2455