Speech #1030066401

Perhaps the burden in some peoples minds is Justified. Mr. Chairman. but. if we are going to have such a program. however. and be doling out money for these purposes. we ought to get serious about illegal immigration and do something about it at the grassroots. and it is perfectly appropriate. In order to advance the welfare of our people. that we have an amendment like this so that we can identify the Illegals and ship them back to their own country. It is not helping them. and it is not helping us. that they are here illegally. I commend the gentleman from California for actually taking to the well. taking the heat. to offer a controversial amendment like this to do something that I do not think should be controversial. which is to see the tax dollars are going to people who are citizens of this great country. that new programs that are being started by the Federal Government are helping us in our goal of enforcing the law which already is against illegal immigration. This just puts some teeth into the law. and. my word. certainly the statistics are so overwhelming and personal observations so overwhelming in our communities that we need to do something about this. Mr. Chairman. I represent an area of northern California which is not so greatly affected directly by illegal immigration. but I can tell my colleagues that this topic is very much in the minds of my constituents. and I am very happy to join in support of Mr. BAKERs amendment.