Speech #1040141256

Mr. Speaker. earlier this week the Committee on the Judiciary of this 104th Congress reported out. after extended hearings and even more extended markup. immigration reform legislation which for the very first time in modern times will in fact actually substantively and positively reform both the system of illegal immigration and our efforts by this Government to combat this tremendous drain on our national resources as well as legal immigration. I am happy to have been a part of that process. but what makes me even happier is an event that happened in my own district in Smyrna. GA. this past Monday evening. This past Monday evening. State Representative Randy Sauder pulled together for the very first time in the districtand probably for the first time in the State of Georgiaa comprehensive task force to study the effects of illegal immigration and to develop solutions to the problem of illegal immigration in our district. Representative Sauder pulled together as members of this task force. in addition to myself and representatives from other congressional and Senatorial offices. a vast array of local and State law enforcement officials. other State representatives. municipal authorities. police chiefs. other law enforcement officials. the regional director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. representatives of the Department of Labor. other agents and. perhaps most importantly of all. a number of private citizens who were involved with illegal immigrationcombating illegal immigrationthat is. in their communities and in their businesses. And through the work of this task force. which began last Monday evening. on the eve of our historic action in the Committee on the Judiciary. passing this important legislation to be considered hopefully very soon by this very body. was a process of really coming to grips with and letting those of us in the Congress responsible for drafting the laws with regard to both legal and illegal immigration. a comprehensive look at how illegal immigration has affected and continues to adversely affect our communities in terms of the number of illegal aliens involved in criminal activity. in terms of the financial burdens placed on our communities. not just in the Seventh District of Georgia but indeed in many respects all across this country. the drain on the medical services. the drain on our welfare system and. indeed. other problems that are too lengthy to go into here this evening. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Representative Sauder for his foresightedness in recognizing this problem. in recognizing that its solution goes far beyond the bounds of any one jurisdiction. It affects our homes. our schools. our businesses. our hospitals. our religious institutions. our local government. our State government and. indeed. all taxpayers of this country. Through the work of Representative Sauders task force. we hope over the next several months. Mr. Speaker. to really delve into the problem of illegal immigration and how it affects our communities. This work will be especially important to me as a Representative from the Seventh District to assist me in crafting the very best legislation possible. to identify those areas where additional work needs to be done. to helping direct precious taxpayer resources to combat the problem of illegal immigration in America. And I salute Representative Sauder for his work and look forward to working closely with him as an important part of the overall legislative effort of this Congress and future Congresses to come to grips with the crippling problem of illegal immigration in our country.