The Border Patrol reported that the downed chartered aircraft was found today in a remote area 23 miles from Presidio and 13 miles south of the Rio Grande in Mexico.

"All of us in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State are deeply saddened by the loss," said Roberta S. Jacobson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, which oversees the U.S. section of the IBWC. "Our thoughts are with the families during this difficult time.

"Many of us have worked for years with Commissioner Marin, admiring his ability to bring people together across borders, commitment to the employees of the USIBWC and dedication to and understanding of the U.S.-Mexican border region. We will greatly miss his expertise and gentle good humor. Commissioner Marin exemplified the finest in public service."

President Bush appointed Marin, who had been with the commission for 27 years, to his position in December 2006 after 27 years of service to the Commission.

As commissioner, he oversaw employees and projects in 12 offices along the U.S.-Mexico border.

U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, whose district runs the length of the Texas border from Eagle Pass almost to El Paso, praised the lives and efforts of Marin and Brisbin.

"Commissioner Carlos Marin was a true champion for the border," Rodriguez said in a statement after news of the deaths reached him. "He spearheaded the effort that brought the much needed attention to the aging levee systems throughout the border. His voice on border infrastructure issues will be truly missed.

“Judge Jake Brisbin had a long history of working for the Upper Rio Grande Area. As a former Mayor of Marfa, a former Presidio County Judge and as executive director of the Rio Grande Council of Governments, he helped many of the rural communities of my congressional district in West Texas.

"His leadership will be sincerely missed and his work will have a lasting impression on our communities."

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes issued a statement offering condolences to the families of all involved.

“Along with countless others, I am profoundly saddened at the loss of Jake Brisbin, Carlos Marin, Arturo Herrera, and Matt Juneau. I extend my deepest condolences to the families affected by this terrible accident and pray that the Lord may comfort them during this very difficult time. One can only imagine the agony these families must have gone through as they waited for word on their loved ones these past two days. This is an enormous loss for El Paso and the entire border region. Commissioner Carlos Marin, Commissioner Arturo Herrera-Solis, and Jake Brisbin were devoted public servants who dedicated their lives to the well-being of people on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Jake was a fellow Vietnam veteran, who became a close personal friend following the war. Those who knew Jake know that there was hardly a day that passed when he did not experience severe physical discomfort. But never complained. He was one of the most upbeat men I ever knew and always displayed a genuine concern for the well-being of others. As the executive director of the Rio Grande Council of Governments, he demonstrated skillful leadership and made lasting contributions to water management policy in West Texas and the rest of the state. I will miss him greatly and extend my condolences to his wife Mary “Cookie” Brisbin and their entire family."

Herrera had served as Mexican Commissioner since 1989. An IBWC employee since 1982, he also held posts as the head of the Tijuana, Baja California office, and as secretary and principal engineer of the Mexican section of the commission.

A native of Mexico City, Herrera received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the National Politechnical Institute in Mexico City and had completed graduate work at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the University of Dresden in Germany.

He is survived by his wife, April, and two children.

Silvio Gonzalez, public affairs officer for the U.S. Consulate in Juarez, issued a statement on behalf of the IBWC, which is under the State Department, saying, "Commissioner Marin and Commissioner Herrera were long-time IBWC colleagues and friends. They devoted their lives to a common goal of furthering cooperation between the United States and Mexico on trans-boundary issues.

"It is a measure of both Commissioners’ dedication and service they there working together to develop a bi-national solution to Rio Grande flood conditions when their lives were tragically cut short."

The two-engine Cessna belonging to Volare Air Charter Service and piloted Juneau left El Paso shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, bound for Presidio, which has been the site of serious flooding.

On the way, the officials' plane headed into Mexico so they could survey conditions along the Conchos River, which flows into the Rio Grande at Presidio, and at the Luis Leon reservoir on the Conchos.

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To reach David Crowder, write to dcrowder@epmediagroup.com or call (915) 587-6622