Overview
Title
An Act To designate the Air and Marine Operations Marine Unit of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection located at 101 Km 18.5 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, as the Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit.
ELI5 AI
This bill wants to change the name of a special boat unit in Puerto Rico to honor Michel O. Maceda, a brave agent who sadly lost his life while protecting others.
Summary AI
H.R. 5302, titled the "Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act," designates the Air and Marine Operations Marine Unit of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, as the "Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit." This honor is in memory of Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda, who was killed in the line of duty during a drug interdiction operation off the coast of Puerto Rico in 2022. The bill ensures that all references in law and official documents reflect this new designation.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act, intends to rename a specific Marine Unit of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, in honor of Michel O. Maceda. Maceda was a Marine Interdiction Agent who was mortally wounded during a drug interdiction operation off the coast of Puerto Rico in November 2022. The bill reflects Congress's intention to honor his service and sacrifice by having the Marine Unit perpetually bear his name.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the primary issues with the bill is the lack of detailed explanation for the renaming decision, which can lead to concerns about transparency. Naming a federal facility after an individual is a significant honor and involves public resources, yet the bill provides minimal context on why Maceda was chosen specifically and the implications of this decision.
Additionally, there is no mention of the potential costs associated with implementing the name change, such as changes to signage and official documentation. This omission raises questions about the financial impacts of the bill at a time when fiscal responsibility is crucial.
Furthermore, the references in the bill could lead to administrative confusion. It mandates that all legal and official uses of the Marine Unit's name be updated, yet it does not clearly document the previous name, which can be problematic for ensuring accurate and consistent governmental communication.
Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders
The bill's impact on the public is largely symbolic, as it aims to commemorate an individual's contributions and sacrifice in service. While such acts of remembrance are generally seen as positive, they should be executed with clarity and transparency to ensure broad public support and understanding.
For specific stakeholders, such as the family and colleagues of Michel O. Maceda, the name change offers a meaningful tribute and recognition of Maceda's bravery and dedication. However, stakeholders within the governmental administration responsible for implementing these changes might experience increased workload and financial burdens.
Moreover, by not providing a thorough explanation of the criteria or rationale for the renaming, the bill risks setting a precedent that could lead to perceptions of favoritism or exclusive recognition of particular individuals over others, especially when similar acts of bravery have been exhibited by numerous agents in the line of duty.
In conclusion, while the intent to honor Michel O. Maceda is clear and commendable, the bill could benefit from additional transparency and consideration of financial and administrative details to ensure it serves the public interest effectively and equitably.
Issues
The designation of the Marine Unit as the 'Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit' in Section 3 does not provide a sufficient rationale or justification for the renaming, which might raise concerns about favoritism or lack of transparency. This is crucial because public resources are being used, and there needs to be a clear and justifiable reason for such a change.
There is no indication of the cost or financial implications associated with the renaming in Section 3. This could involve changes to signage, official documents, and branding, which may be seen as wasteful if unnecessary, especially given current financial constraints.
In Section 4, the renaming provision can potentially cause confusion or errors in legal, regulatory, or operational contexts if the previous name of the Marine Unit is not listed anywhere in the text, as it affects all official records and communications.
Section 4 lacks clarity because it refers to the Marine Unit mentioned in 'section 3' without additional context about 'section 3' for someone not reading the entire document. This could make legal or administrative references confusing.
The bill in Section 4 does not provide an explanation or background on who Michel O. Maceda is, which may be necessary for the public to evaluate the change. Further details would help determine if this favors a particular individual unjustly or serves a broader public interest.
Section 1 only provides a short title and does not include details on the broader implications or applications of the Act, which limits transparency and may hinder public understanding of the bill’s impact.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides the short title for the Act, stating that it may be cited as the "Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act."
2. Findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress makes the following findings: Michel O. Maceda, a former United States Army mechanic, joined the United States Border Patrol in 2016 and later became a Marine Interdiction Agent in Puerto Rico. On November 17, 2022, while conducting a drug interdiction operation off the coast of Puerto Rico, he was shot and mortally wounded by a suspect, leaving behind his daughter, brother, and parents.
3. Designation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations Marine Unit in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, is officially renamed the "Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit."
4. References Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Any mention of the marine unit in U.S. laws or documents is now considered to be about the "Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit."