[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18616]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          PERSONAL REFLECTION AND WISDOM FOR INCOMING CONGRESS

  (Mr. BILBRAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. BILBRAY. I apologize to my colleagues for changing the subject 
for a moment, but this will be the last chance I'll be able to address 
the House.
  Six and a half years ago, I had the privilege of coming to the House 
and standing here after a special election. I'd like to paraphrase, 
basically, what I said then: I come from the 50th District of 
California--a classic coastal community. After having been out of the 
Congress for 5 years, they returned me here to the House as the 50th 
District, it being that classic environmental community, recycled 
Congressmen when it came to my election. I would just ask that both 
sides understand what a great privilege it is to represent the 50th.
  In leaving, I just want to say one thing: I hear that one of the 
major issues you're going to address when this new Congress comes in is 
the issue of immigration, and those of us in California understand 
that. The one place that Democrats and Republicans should be able to 
agree on, especially with the budget crisis, is: When are we going to 
stop the practice of people who are committing a crime by employing 
illegal immigrants?
  Take the tax deduction away, and require that if a business wants to 
claim a business deduction for employing somebody that we make sure 
those employees are legal--just by requiring E-Verify.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I am going to miss a lot of faces around here in 
Washington, but as a San Diegan, let me assure you that I will not miss 
the weather.
  God bless and thank you.

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