[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 57 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H2554-H2555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THE VOICE OF AMERICA

  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of 
Mr. Jones.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Poe) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, the American people expect action regarding the 
porous borders of the United States. They expect and deserve 
leadership. Here is what some Americans are saying about our porous 
borders in correspondence they have sent to me.
  Terrence Griffin from Spring, Texas, writes, ``I am angry and fed up 
with the inaction and lack of leadership for immigration reform. Vote 
`no' on amnesty. Illegal means illegal. Secure the borders first. We as 
Americans feel like thrown away stepchildren. I am taught that charity 
begins at home. America looks weak and reckless when it chooses to 
secure the borders of other nations, feed people of other nations and 
protect other nations when America is left unprotected, unsafe and 
unsecure.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. and Mrs. William Wainscott in Dayton, Texas, write, 
``Vote against amnesty and providing social services which are 
supported by the taxpayers. This has gone too long and too far. Our 
government law enforcement officials look the other way while our 
country is being invaded by people who choose to violate and disregard 
our system, that system being of legal entry and immigration. These 
illegals represent a major burden on taxpayers. They not only take away 
low-paying jobs, they take away good jobs. I should know. It is 
extremely difficult for an American citizen to get a job in the 
construction field because of the number of illegals getting reference 
in hiring. I speak from experience as a welder and a fitter. Because of 
preferential hiring practices of construction companies, the American 
has to look elsewhere for his employment.''
  Tracy Blackburn in Spring, Texas, writes, ``A Los Angeles attorney 
brought into the case last week by the Mexican Consul General's office 
in Phoenix plans to file another motion claiming Maricopa County 
Attorney officials are violating State and Federal law because 
supposedly it is the Federal Government's job to control illegal 
immigration. Well, why is the Mexican Consul General able to use a 
local lawyer to try to prevent enforcement of American law? They are 
not U.S. citizens, what gives these people these rights? I am fed up 
with the illegal trespassers coming in here and demanding rights that 
they obviously do not have.''
  I also received a correspondence from a high school student from 
Humble, Texas. Jack writes to me, ``I just wanted to express to you my 
feelings as part of the generation that will soon be voting. Though it 
is hard to get our voices out, as we are immediately hushed under the 
complaints of racism, many of my classmates, whether they are white, 
black or Hispanic, feel that the restriction of illegal immigrants is 
obviously a necessary action.''
  Further, Mr. Speaker, I have received correspondence from Richard of 
Houston. He says, ``As Texans, we are on the front lines of this 
illegal invasion. If we fail to act, the future of our children, the 
next generation of Texans, is obviously at risk. I urge you to take all 
possible measures available, including support of local border law 
enforcement agencies, with the Texas National Guard to stop the threat 
to security and to our economy. Texans have always stood tall in the 
face of threats to our State and Nation. Because of the failure of 
national leadership, it is now this generation of Texans' turn to 
defend our land.''
  I have also received correspondence from Patricia in Houston. She 
says, ``I am writing to let you know how I feel about the immigration 
issue. We have laws in effect that are not enforced. The illegal 
immigrants are breaking the law. They come over here and they do not 
want to melt into the melting pot of people. Please vote to shut down 
our borders and build a wall. I will even go down there and volunteer 
to help build that wall if necessary. You might be surprised how many 
people would volunteer to help build such a wall. And how dare people 
compare themselves to the immigrants that were our ancestors. They 
wanted to be Americans. They even changed their names to be more 
American. These people are taking Texas back one baby at a time and we 
are just allowing them. Most Americans, specifically those on the 
border States, feel that we need to close the border but are afraid of 
being called a racist. It has nothing to do with race, it has 
everything to do with the law.''
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I received several cases of bricks from an 
individual down in Texas. With the cases of bricks that he has sent me 
this letter, ``I am

[[Page H2555]]

sending you these bricks in support of an increase in the border 
security of the United States. These bricks should give you a start in 
building a wall. The American public demands some solutions to our open 
borders. A comprehensive border plan must include a security wall in 
some places, better technology, more funding of personnel for Border 
Patrol, and overall increased security presence on the southern border. 
When our borders are secure, then we can discuss the aspects of illegal 
immigration issues. We are tired of open borders, uncontrolled 
immigration, terrorist infiltration, criminal alien gangs, and all of 
the other horrors that arise due to our defenseless borders and 
unenforced immigration laws.''
  Mr. Speaker, the voice of America continues to cry out for us to 
enforce the rule of law, protect the dignity and safety of the American 
people. Government's number one job is public safety, and public safety 
starts at the border.
  We have an obligation to stop the illegal invasion and stop the 
colonization of our country and homeland by foreign nations. Failure to 
do so will result in America being lost to foreign nations without even 
firing a shot. And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________