State Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, announced his support Friday for the recent directive issued to the Department of Public Safety to conduct a law enforcement surge along the Texas-Mexico border.
In utilizing an additional $1.3 million per week to conduct the surge, DPS will enhance its initiatives to combat the immediate threats to Texas from known violent criminal activity in the border area, as well as to reduce illegal crossings into the United States.
“Nothing, in my opinion, is more critical to our public safety and national security in a post 9/11 world than securing our international border,” Parker said. “While the ultimate responsibility for border security lies with the federal government, we have seen first-hand the lack of importance the Obama Administration places on this critical issue. Therefore it was imperative for state leaders to take matters into our own hands.”
In recent months, Texas has witnessed a dramatic increase in illegal activity along the Texas-Mexico border, prompting this response. For example, in the last eight months more illegal immigrants were detained in the Rio Grande Valley than the preceding 12 months combined. Similarly, the number of unaccompanied alien children apprehended in Texas is expected to triple from the previous year.
A longtime supporter of stronger border security, Parker has previously authored measures intended to place additional DPS troopers along the border region. He has also supported such past initiatives as the creation of the Border Security Council, increasing prosecuting resources for district attorneys in our border region, authorizing the use of cutting edge technologies in border security operations and consistently increasing border security funding ever since his first term in office.
In closing, Parker stated, “I am very thankful for the leadership demonstrated by Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus. Collectively, they have moved Texas closer to securing our border. However, this is an issue that will need our continued attention and we must absolutely build on this momentum during the next legislative session.”
Initially elected on November 7th of 2006, Parker represents both rural and urban parts of Denton County which encompasses the communities of Flower Mound, Argyle, Lantana, Dish, Ponder, Justin, Northlake, Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Bartonville, Trophy Club, Roanoke and portions of Lewisville, Fort Worth, Highland Village, Westlake and Southlake.
Serving in his 4th term in the Texas Legislature, Parker is focusing his efforts on economic development, job creation, strengthening border security and immigration policy, promoting fiscally responsible government spending, providing a strong public education system, enhancing public safety and protecting family values.
Parker is the current Chairman of the Corrections Committee. He also serves on the Land and Resource Management Committee, the Criminal Procedure Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Trafficking.
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