Yesterday I mentioned that our first appointment was with Kirk England. Mr. England’s appointment was at 11:00 AM and we had a good deal of time prior to this appointment to either wait or do drop in visits to maximize our efforts in contacting legislators. Not wanting to waste precious time we decided Mr. Burt Solomon would get our first visit.

Our entourage also included 2 photo journalists that are endeavoring to make a documentary on illegal immigration and the organizations that are actively involved in promoting enforcement and legislation against illegal immigration. In addition to Jean and myself was the spouse of another delegate who was a member of one of our groups. I must apologize for not remembering all of the names of our participants because I’m recovering from an ear infection and can’t hear as well as I should.

As previously stated it is optimistic to think that you’ll meet with the actual representative and more likely meet with their associate. This was the case with Mr. Solomon’s office. We met with a delightful young lady that was very gracious and accepted our literature showing us the hospitality that a fine host would show her guests. Mr. Solomon is a member of the Finance committee and would have an interest in House Bill 29 that imposes a fee or tax on remittances by illegal aliens from this State to Mexico. Jean told the representative that we wish he would consider promoting this bill and hope he would give it his support and possibly sign on as a co-author or co-sponsor. We were invited to sign the guest register and take her business card.

This was pretty much the routine with the representative’s assistants. In one of the representative’s office our photo journalists got called on the carpet for taping when not authorized. He was taken to the back room and made to erase all of the tape associated with that representative’s office. I’m not going to mention the name of that legislator’s office because some might think the reluctance to be taped is an indication of a fear of going on record but this was not the case. It is one thing to speak and represent your boss but it is quite another to be held accountable for what someone else might say on your behalf with out having the benefit of a prior discussion. This young lady’s wisdom in these matters was very apparent and possibly learned from a like prior encounter with the media.

In our travels among the halls of the capitol you can’t help but notice the variety of people that are there to promote their cause or agenda. They come in all shape, sizes and appearance. From public school students to representatives of universities donning lab jackets with the research department insignia emblazoned on the shirt pocket. From bikers sporting scant Mohawks accompanied by their riding partner illustrated with the muted inks adorning their skin to mothers toting their kids on their chest in a sling carrying sacks of what is labeled breast milk. One might think that the La Leche league is lobbying for some legislation and is willing to provide a live demonstration on its behalf or the threat of barring their breasts in protest. One is given pause to contemplate this spectacle through the eyes of the legislator on a daily basis and the reams of paper that are laid on their desks from the public for consideration. It is no wonder the rain forests are disappearing when one thinks of the paper wasted in business, government and private use on a daily basis.

The other side of society that walked these halls was the professional lobbyists in their attire. Dressed to the nines and some so conspicuous that they could be called visual Viagra. They are guaranteed to raise the blood pressure and make the legislator adjust their lenses while gaining their attention to listen to their interests on behalf of their employers that they are paid to represent. It was not hard to contemplate at the end of the day which one of us would be remembered if judged on appearance alone.

The appointment with Mr. England was the same as these where we dropped off our literature with his representative. I don’t mean to lessen the importance or give the impression that this was routine but for journalist purposes the perceptions of their response is limited by the length of contact.

I noticed how unprepared I was in respect to the seasoned lobbyist. I hadn’t researched any voting records, looked for their public opinions or documented their personal beliefs that might influence how we would present our position to the individual to gain his support. This is where Jean’s experience really shined. In a conversation later in the day I asked Jean how she got in to this affiliation with CFIR and the personal knowledge of the legislators we came to visit. The best way to describe her response is a lyric from an old Barbra Mandrel song that says, “she was country, when country wasn’t cool.” She had taken this position many years ago but couldn’t get the support and attention that she felt this crisis needed. She was very active in republican politics and campaigns and began to know the individuals by tracking their achievements and their voting record. Jean showed that she was a walking talking database of Texas politics and politicians. I told her of my disdain for Simpson/Mazolli and how I thought it was wrong then to give amnesty and retain the same position now. She gave me back her involvement and the perception and position of the politicians that she was in contact with at that time. I would highly recommend Jean as one’s mentor.

Our next stop was at the office of Tan Parker, the freshman representative as Jean described, that is a member of the State Affairs committee. Again the representative was on the House floor but we talked with his energetic representative. He described Tan’s desire to promote legislation of his own concerning the subject of illegal immigration. Tan is contemplating a bill that would provide a minimum penalty for the incarceration of illegal aliens convicted of a violent crime in the State of Texas. He stated that the concern was the current punishment of these individuals provided no deterrent to keep them from returning to this country after deportation. Tan’s idea was to set a minimum punishment standard that was severe enough to either intimidate or incarcerate depending on the choice made by the criminal alien element. We felt we were very well received by Tan’s office and felt good about our efforts. Tomorrow I’ll discuss the meetings with the representatives we did get to meet.