Online Exclusive: State Rep. Mark White: Why I’m Going to Arizona

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Why I’m Going to Arizona
By: State Rep. Mark White

UPDATED, 08/03/2010! Please scroll down.

From District 83 State Representative Mark White:

One of the most pressing issues facing our country today is the control of immigration into our country. It has been stated that a country without borders is not a country. We all have compassion for the plight of those who want to come to America in hopes of a better life. But the unsecured flow of anyone who has legs to just walk across our border without proper documentation is no way to run a country.

The citizens of Arizona are spending $2.7 billion each year to address the issue of illegal immigration. The burden on the educational system, health care and incarceration are all factors in the current Arizona bill. I do believe that immigration is a Federal responsibility. However the Federal government has not addressed the issue in decades.

The State of Tennessee will be asked to address this issue in the 107th General Assembly which will convene in January 2011. I am traveling to Arizona in support of their actions and also to get a better understanding on how Tennessee should address this issue in 2011. In today’s political climate of extreme terrorism we must implement tighter control of our U.S. Borders.

Arizona is on the front lines of this battle. We need to support them in this effort. It is their home today and possibly ours tomorrow.

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From the State press release:

Representative Mark White to visit Arizona to meet with sponsors of immigration law

(NASHVILLE, July 26, 2010) - Several Republican legislators are headed to Arizona later this month to deliver a resolution to Governor Jan Brewer showing Tennessee’s support for their new immigration law. Representative Mark White (R-Memphis) will join other Republican lawmakers, led by Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and Representative Joe Carr (R-Murfreesboro), to meet with sponsors of the Arizona law and attend an educational seminar which details provisions of the new law.

The State House and State Senate passed House Joint Resolution 1253 this year, which commended Arizona for their bold move on immigration policies. That resolution became law without the governor’s signature on June 22. The Arizona act allows law enforcement officials to require citizenship documentation on any citizen that is detained or arrested. Arizona spends over $2.7 billion every year on illegal immigrants.

“Tennesseans are overwhelmingly in support of the law passed in Arizona,” said Representative White. “Years—decades even—of inaction by the federal government is unacceptable, and people want action taken. The bold steps taken by Arizona are to be recognized, and learning more about what they are doing and how will aid Tennessee legislators in finding a solution for our state.”

The House member leading the delegation, Representative Carr, said the trip would not be paid for at government expense. The lawmakers will leave on July 30 and return on July 31.

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Reference: House Joint Resolution 1253 (PDF document)

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From Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver’s Facebook page.

UPDATE: Sunday, August 1, 2010

On Friday, July 30th, a group of 9 Tennessee State Legislators flew to Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of the trip was to carry a Resolution passed by the Tennessee Senate and the Tennessee House of Representatives commending Arizona for her current stance regarding the immigration issue. The trip turned out to be more than expected. We were picked up at the airport by the legislative security of the Arizona State Senate. After lunch with several Arizona State Senators and Representatives we drove to the State Capitol where we met with Governor Jan Brewer.

Governor Brewer was most appreciative of our efforts to fly all the way from Tennessee and stand by them in this current battle. Tennessee is the first state to officially recognize and support them with legislation. While meeting with Governor Brewer, I gave her a coffee Mug from Graceland, Home of Elvis Presley. I told her that Elvis had a favorite logo which was TCB or “Taking Care of Business.” I felt it appropriate since that is what Arizona is doing with this legislation. Governor Brewer stated that she was a huge fan of Elvis and really would treasure the gift. After our meeting with Governor Brewer we spent the rest of the afternoon touring the State Capitol as the Guest of Senator Russell Pierce. Mr. Pierce is the Senate sponsor of SB1070.

I was very much impressed with his knowledge of the entire immigration issue. His position is that the Federal government has failed in its responsibility to protect the citizens of Arizona and that SB1070 was passed because the Federal government and Congress have done nothing to help them. Senator Russell states that they will not back down and will sue the Federal government because of this inaction. The Tennessee delegation took lots of notes and it is our intention to draft similar legislation for Tennessee in 2011. For two decades the American people have called for immigration reform. Our pleas to the Federal government have gone unanswered. Our national sovereignty is at stake. We all agree that immigration is good but the unchecked flow of traffic across our southern border is a threat to our national security. The State of Arizona has fired the first shot at an issue that is long overdue. Just as BP Oil capped the unchecked flow of oil in our Gulf of Mexico, it is time for our Federal government to cap the unchecked flow of those who come into our county illegally. We in the General Assembly of Tennessee are ready to “Stand with Arizona” and we will not let them fight this battle alone.

Representative Mark White
District 83

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UPDATE, 8/3/2010:

Delegation Leader State Rep. Joe Carr, District 48, posted his own report, which is reposted below (with permission):

Representative Joe Carr of Lascassas and eight members of the Tennessee General Assembly visited with Arizona lawmakers and Governor Jan Brewer to show their support of their recently passed legislation, Senate Bill 1070, dealing with the growing problem of illegal immigration. The agenda included presentation of House Joint Resolution 1253 to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, discussions with Senator Russell Pearce and members of the Arizona General Assembly regarding the new Arizona law, as well as a memorial ceremony to honor those whose lives were taken by illegal aliens in the enforcement of the border. The delegation was well received by Arizona lawmakers.

Like Arizona, Tennessee has experienced an ever increasing and growing problem as a direct result of the Obama Administration’s refusal to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. Rep. Carr, in providing solutions to this problem, outlines the problem.

“Conservative estimates put the illegal immigration population in Tennessee at around 150,000 at annual cost to the Tennessee taxpayer in excess of $450 million dollars per year,” said Representative Carr. He continued, “Tennessee taxpayers are paying for healthcare, education and an ever increasing burden on the judicial system from a population of people who broke the law to get here and are breaking the law by staying here.”

Some of the solutions that Rep. Carr has proposed prior to his resolution recognizing Arizona, include House Bill 1354, a law prohibiting sanctuary cities in Tennessee and House Bill 302 making it a criminal offense to use someone’s identification other than your own for the purpose of employment. These measures help to ensure Tennessee is not a magnet for illegal aliens.

Representative Carr along with his colleagues who joined him paid for all of their own expenses to make the trip. The visit was greatly appreciated by the members of the Arizona General Assembly. Senator Pearce expressed his gratitude and said he was humbled by the show of support. “Tennessee has always been known as the volunteer state and is always ready to help and get involved in a fight. They were one of the first at the Alamo and now they are one of the first in Arizona,” Pearce said.

As a direct result of the meeting with Governor Brewer and Senator Pearce, Representative Carr is planning on filing legislation that looks similar to Arizona’s law. “After meeting with Governor Brewer and Senator Pearce I came away with a better understanding of how the language needs to be structured so that it does not conflict with Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, known as the Supremacy Clause. Tennesseans overwhelmingly approve of the Arizona law and want a similar law in Tennessee,” said Rep Carr referring to a recent statewide poll that 72% of Tennesseans approve of Arizona’s efforts in dealing with illegal immigration and want a similar law in Tennessee.

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In the photo Rep. Carr is presenting a check to Arizona Gov. Brewer for $100.00 from Jerry Robinson of the Slick Pig restaurant in Murfreesboro, TN. The check was written to assist with the Arizona Defense Fund to help in the defense of Arizona against the Obama Administration’s lawsuit against Arizona. AZ Senator Pearce and TN Senator Ketron are in attendance.

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