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JAMESTOWN—U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), issued the following statement after sending off the North Dakota National Guard’s (NDNG) 817th Engineer Company which will be deployed to the southern border for one year. This deployment was in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbot asking states to send available resources to combat illegal activity at the border and ensure the safety and security of Americans.
"I am struck at this moment, during these times, when so much is asked of the most blessed people in the world. You all step up in such big ways. As a nation, we exercise global responsibilities while also protecting the home front, and no one does it better than the North Dakota National Guard. We owe a special debt of gratitude to the soldiers, their families, and their employers, who all sacrifice for every mission. Your mission at the southwest border is a crucial one. The more than 100,000 fentanyl deaths every year are the fatalities of an invasion at our border. Whenever I visit the border and see the masses of people coming across illegally, I am often moved by how many young children are among the immigrants seeking help, and the compassion of our border protectors as they deal with a crisis created by bad policies coming out of the White House. Your military might and your compassionate hearts are symbols of American strength. Forgive us when we do not say thank you enough, but know I will pray for you all as you carry out a most noble mission.”