Posted by
sgtmajorbrad on Friday, February 09, 2007 2:39:34 PM
Last night I witnessed a Norman Rockwell moment. I went to a
monthly meeting of Citizens for Immigration Reform to listen to their guest
speaker Mr. Jim Jackson, House representative of the 115 district of the State
of Texas. Arriving early and on a
particular dreary and miserable night I expected a light turn out and a
possible cancellation of the speaker’s appearance. To my surprise it was quite
to the contrary. I first was greeted by a lady of diminutive stature and
welcomed to the meeting. She suffered as I from the same malady that causes the
silvering of the hair and she could barely see over the podium let alone speak
into the microphone.
This lady introduced the first speaker who was a legal
immigrant and naturalized citizen of over 28 years. This lady emotionally
shared her testimonial for this nation and the honor of being a citizen. At the
end of her talk she shared that she was originally from Iran.
I mention this because of the statement she shared later.
Then the microphone was turned over to the Mr. Jackson. Mr.
Jackson apologized for his disheveled appearance but he said the traffic from Austin
prevented him and his wife from freshening up prior to their arrival at the
meeting. He began talking about the many bills in the house that are related to
removing the rewards and incentives for illegal immigrants. He provided a rare
insight to the process of how legislation makes it way through the Texas
legislature and the efforts of the alliances and caucuses behind the scenes
that are away from the public eye. He inferred of the partisan alliances and
the impediments they provide to getting legislation passed and enacted. It is a
hard and arduous journey for a bill to become law.
His main point I believe was how the public support can
influence the outcome of legislation and it is the same point that I try to
drive home here. You have to get involved and make your opinions heard. When you
write your representative ask them to join the sponsorship of the author’s bill
that you are supporting. Write them with respect and keep your thoughts brief
but concise. Volunteer to testify on
behalf of the legislation and come prepared on the subject that you intend
speak for or against. Long diatribes documenting personal experiences and
condemnations only alienate and bore the legislators you are trying to
influence to accept your position on the subject.
I looked at the SRO audience listening to Mr. Jackson and
noticed that there was a wide representation of the community. There were old,
young and the audience wasn’t lily white as the Amnesty crowd contends. These
were people that are concerned about the effects of illegal immigration and
have taken the most unusual step in today’s society of getting personally involved.
When the time came for question and answers I felt an
excellent opportunity was missed by those selected to present their questions.
Many used this as a platform to share their personal experiences with certain
situations that were beyond the control or influence of the legislator without
offering an idea that could be offered as potential legislation. Many had a
personal grudge or agenda to air their grievances in public.
I would like to commend Mr. Jackson that he is taking the
time to stay in tune with his constituents by talking at gatherings like this. It
was very apparent that this was truly a personal commitment to show up on such
a dismal evening.
I mentioned the little lady originally from Iran
and the story she shared during the question and answer period. She stated that
she knew of immigrants coming to this country and getting government provided
assistance and allotments only to again leave this country to return to another
place after application. They then return a year later to collect a check for
the lump sum of their allotments to repeat this process year after year. It was
my intention to interview this lady but I lost track of her at the end of the
meeting. Maybe I’ll get that opportunity next month when the councilman from Farmers
Branch is scheduled to speak.
My Norman Rockwell moment last night was remembering the
'40s vintage painting he did advocating war bonds titled, “Saving Freedom of Speech.” This
was a patriotic depiction of an individual standing among his peers voicing his
opinions or concerns. The title could have just as easily been written as, “Save
our Sovereignty.” Please consider your contribution to an organization or
candidate fighting the war of those invading across our borders.