House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Meets With President Calderon of Mexico And Supports Counter-Drug Fight

House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Meets With President Calderon of Mexico And Supports Counter-Drug Fight
Ike Skelton, Chairman
For Immediate Release: March 27, 2009

Skelton Meets With President Calderon of Mexico And Supports Counter-Drug Fight

Washington, D.C.—House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) and two other senior House members traveled to Mexico City to meet with President Felipe Calderon to discuss the drug-related violence in Mexico and along the U.S.-Mexico border.

House Select Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) led the three member delegation that included Skelton and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA). After meeting with President Calderon, the delegation placed a wreath at the Monument of the Boy Heroes, which commemorates the Battle of Chapultepec in 1847 during the Mexican-American War. Returning from Mexico, the delegation stopped in El Paso, Texas, for meetings with U.S. law enforcement and other local officials.

“Drug-related violence in Mexico and along the border region is very serious, and I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with President Calderon to discuss the comprehensive effort that his government is leading to end the ruthless violence and the flow of drugs onto our streets. Our meetings with President Calderon, with U.S. Embassy staff, and with officials on the border in El Paso were very constructive. I hope that our dialogue will help strengthen in the months and years ahead the good work that our government and the Calderon Administration have been doing to address the threat that this criminal activity poses to both our nations,” said Skelton.

“I was also honored to spend time at the Chapultepec monument. It was nearly twenty years ago that I first visited this hallowed ground to pay my respects to the brave men of the United States and Mexico who in 1847 fought for control of the heights over Mexico City. The Battle of Chapultepec runs deep in the history of both our countries. U.S. Marines proudly sing about the Halls of Montezuma, and Mexico honors its Boy Heroes who defended the Mexican flag to the bitter end,” said Skelton.

“Since my last visit, the U.S. and Mexican militaries have made great progress toward building a strong and cooperative relationship. I look forward to continuing our countries’ partnership based on mutual respect, shared values, and common purpose,” said Skelton.

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