WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last Friday, Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) was led by the San Diego Sector Border Patrol on a tour of California's Southern border, where border fence production is currently underway. McKeon was briefed on the fencing project, patrolling stations, and remote surveillance technology.
    "The border tour provided me an opportunity to witness the progress being made on the border fence construction. While the economy has been in the headlines, we mustn't overlook the real need to keep our borders protected from illegal immigration. The aftereffects of illegal immigration have been costly. As it stands now in our current economy, illegal immigration has placed undue stress on our health care and education systems and created a variety of issues the country has been trying to address.
    "My constituents have made it clear that they want a border fence in place and it is something I worked on very closely, including joining my Republican colleagues last year in urging Speaker Pelosi to complete construction of the fence. I'm keeping a close eye on the situation, because we need construction to be completed as soon as possible.
    "The increased security along the border is making in impact and I am grateful for the work of our border patrol agents."