Speech #1040019963

I move to strike the requisite number of words. I just thought it would be wise to wade in with my colleague from Florida since there were so many Members from California here just a moment ago. and then there were those Texans here as well. As one of those seven States that bears the brunt of the kind of discussion that we are having regarding illegal immigrants in our jails. I certainly want to compliment the gentleman from Florida and the gentleman from California and all those associated with them in crafting this legislation. I do make a very simple appeal though. and that is that somehow or another. centered around criminal activity. we can come up with the most brilliant manner of going forward as legislators in finding money all over the budget. and in the Immigration and Education Act. that was mentioned by my colleague and friend. the gentleman from Texas. I remind everyone that President Reagan zeroed out the budget funding for the Immigration and Education Act. and no offense meant to the former President. but the simple fact of the matter is that if this money is not appropriated. all they are doing is some kind of fancy dance trying to give our constituents the notion that we are doing something about this problem. Let me tell you something. I am concerned about us paying a debt to the State of Florida. the State of California. the State of Texas. the State of Arizona. New York. all of the States that have this problem. and it is a debt owed because it is a national problem. and it is not one that is a State problem. But at the very same time. if I had to place my eggs in a basket whether or not to take care of an illegal immigrant in prison and a debt owed to a State. I would much rather that this legislature be about the business of trying to fund measures that will take care of children who are entering our States in vast numbers. such that one educator in Dade County reminded me that every month the equivalent of a school enters their school system who are folk from outside this country. and in my base county. every 3 months a whole school is formulated. It is nice to find money for prisoners. but we had better find some money for schools.