Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) was awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle from the Mexican government on Tuesday evening, the highest decoration awarded by Mexico to foreign citizens, in recognition of his friendship with the Mexican people. 

Rep. Engel is the former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and is currently the Ranking Member.  He received the Aztec Eagle Medal, one of several different classifications of the award.  Some past recipients of the award include - Sen. Edward Kennedy, President Dwight Eisenhower, South African President Nelson Mandela, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Queen Elizabeth II.

“I have worked closely with Mexican President Felipe Calderon to strengthen the excellent partnership between the United States and Mexico, and I accept this award with deep gratitude and eternal respect. Our two countries share not only a 2,000-mile border but similar values and ideals. Mexico is a natural partner for the United States, and President Calderon has been a valiant leader in helping Mexico through these dark times,” said Rep. Engel.

“Congressman Eliot Engel is a singular member of Congress who in recent years has become a key actor in building upon the unprecedented levels of cooperation that Mexico and the U.S. enjoy today, as well as our budding dialogue on regional and global issues. We have found a true ally in Congressman Engel. In his growing engagement with our region, he quickly understood that given the prevailing interdependence between Mexico and the U.S., working together is the best approach to face common challenges,” said Mexican Ambassador to the United States, Arturo Sarukhan Casamitjana.

Rep. Engel added, “Together, we have challenged the growing power of the narco-gangs and their influence on both sides of the border.  We have fought against the sale of illegal guns which have taken the lives of too many Mexicans and Americans.  We will continue this fight until both of our peoples emerge safer, as our nations advance in friendship.”

Rep. Engel has strongly supported the Merida Initiative, a program designed to provide aid to Mexico and Central America to combat narco-violence.  Rep. Engel commissioned a study into why Merida assistance was slowed during the tail end of the Bush Administration.  Progress was made during the Obama Administration in cutting through the bureaucratic red tape and providing the needed funding.

Rep. Engel also has been pressing the Obama Administration, just as he did with previous administration, to implement the Gun Control Act of 1968 and halt the import of deadly assault-style weapons.  The ban on imports of assault weapons was enforced by Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.  Rep. Engel does not believe AK-47s – a military-style weapon – could be considered a sporting weapon, and thus should not be imported the 1968 Gun Control Act.

“Guns and drugs are the root of all of the problems facing Mexico, and together we can change things.  If Americans would stop consuming drugs coming from Mexico, and cease sending weapons into the hands of criminals, Mexico would be in much better shape today” said Rep. Engel.  “The next step is finally working on a comprehensive immigration reform bill that benefits both countries, and reforms the broken system which has led to so many problems.  I have confidence we will finally address this in the months to come.”

 

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