[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10973-10974]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HATE CRIMES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 31, 2006, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 2\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the House on an 
important issue that has already been addressed by my colleague Mr. 
Baca, and that is the power of words. And that is all we really have 
here in this chamber, and that is to address one another in a 
respectful manner and engage in a good faith debate about the merits or 
demerits of any particular issue.
  Unfortunately, words can be harmful and they can incite and be 
counterproductive, and to be a disservice not just to this institution 
but to the American people who are waiting for a good faith debate on 
the important issue of immigration.
  However, this debate has been framed in a certain manner, to appeal 
probably to that rather unattractive underbelly that is out there in 
society, and that is bigotry and racism. And that is a true danger. And 
when I say it is a disservice to this country, it is beyond a 
disservice. It is going back in time.

[[Page 10974]]

  A recent article that appeared this Sunday regarding this debate 
pointed out as follows, and this is so important that it cannot be 
adequately emphasized:
  Most Americans who are in favor of stricter border enforcement are 
not bigots. Far from it. But some politicians and other public figures 
see an opportunity to foment hate and hysteria for their own profit. 
They are embracing a nativism and xenophobia that recall the 1920s when 
a State Department warning about an influx about filthy and 
unassimilable Jews from Eastern Europe led to the first immigration 
quotas, or the 1950s hey-day of Operation Wetback when illegal Mexican 
workers were hunted down and deported.
  We are a better Nation than we were in the 1920s, we are a better 
Nation than we were in the 1950s, but only if we respect what this 
institution is all about, and that is a good faith based debate on the 
facts and the figures, and not to appeal to an emotional part of the 
human spirit that is not to be admired or promoted.
  At this time I yield to my colleague, Mrs. Napolitano, from the great 
State of California.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague, Joe 
Baca, for taking the lead on this very important issue, and to the 
gentleman from Texas, Charlie Gonzalez, for yielding to me.
  I also find it very disturbing that extremists are using the 
immigration debate to stir up racial division and hatred. Whether it is 
in the form of violent anti-immigrant video games, in hate speeches, in 
racial slurs, in graffiti, in our schools, or in political debate, it 
is wrong.
  I am here to ask you to ask our countrymen to say enough is enough. 
It is not a moral nor a decent way to treat or speak about our fellow 
human beings. Along with many of my colleagues, I implore individuals, 
families, and communities all over the country to stand up against this 
hatred.

                          ____________________