Posted on 02/24/2005 4:26:35 PM PST by kcvl
The Arkansas House of Representatives voted 63-31 to pass a bill that would allow illegal aliens who graduate from Arkansas high schools to qualify for in-state tuition rates and taxpayer-funded state scholarships at state universities. "We have allowed these kids to dream," said Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, in support of her House Bill 1525. "We have put them in our schools, we have urged them to dream, and then we cut them off the moment they get out of high school."
While seven lawmakers spoke in support of the bill during debate on the House floor, the measure drew silence from opponents. None of the 31 lawmakers who voted against the bill chose to speak against it. "I think most minds were made up," said Rep. Mike Kenney, R-Siloam Springs, who voted against it. "Speaking for myself, I didnt see any point in belaboring the issue. It wasnt going to change any minds."
Gov. Mike Huckabee, who included the bill in his legislative package, drew a contrast between Wednesdays vote in support of illegal immigrants and the states handling of the 1957 desegregation of Little Rocks Central High School. "They took a stand that Arkansas can be proud of," Huckabee said in describing the House. "I think if we had taken a similar one in 1957, it would have made us proud for a long, long time."
Elliott also compared the situation of illegal aliens in Arkansas today to that of black students in the 1950s. In speaking before the House, Elliott, who is black, recalled her childhood in Arkansas, saying she was born in 1951 and grew up with "the big boot of the government on my back and I was a mere child." "For these kids today," Elliott said of illegal aliens, "it is not a memory, its a way of life."
Her bill would give in-state tuition to illegal-alien students who have spent at least three years in school in Arkansas, have graduated from a school in the state and been accepted by a state college or university. It would also declare them eligible for state-funded scholarships. In-state tuition rates are cheaper by about $5,000 a year than rates for out-of-state students.
Federal law requires that states educate children of illegal immigrants in public schools, but that requirement does not extend to colleges, Elliott said. Instead, illegal aliens who graduate from high school lack documented legal status and are in a "legal purgatory," she said.
As part of her bill, Elliott required that illegal aliens who receive in-state tuition file an affidavit with the college or university they attend, stating that they intend to legalize their immigration status.
Between 1990 and 2000, the estimated number of illegal immigrants rose from 5,000 to 27,000 in Arkansas, according to a January 2003 report from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, predecessor to the Department of Homeland Securitys Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Elliott said about 600 children of immigrants will graduate from state high schools this year, of which about half are illegal. Elliott said her bill would cost the state $235,000 in its first year.
Speaking in support of the bill, Rep. Sam Ledbetter, DLittle Rock, said those who dont receive an education are more likely to commit crimes and be sent to prison, where the state must pay for their custody. "If an undocumented immigrant commits a crime, were going to send him to the pen," Ledbetter said. "The financial impact of [granting in-state status and access to state-funded scholarships to illegal aliens] is the cost of 12 prisoners."
During debate, Rep. Bill Pritchard, R-Elkins, who voted against the bill, asked Elliott if the bill wouldnt encourage illegal aliens to move to Arkansas. "Do we not encourage parents to bring their children here illegally?" Pritchard asked.
Elliott said she doubted immigrants would view Arkansas as "the promised land" if her bill becomes law. Even if parents moved to Arkansas illegally to take advantage of her bill, the children who would benefit from it arent breaking the law, Elliott said. "Were not dealing with the parents, were dealing with the kids," Elliott said.
Rep. Stephen Bright, R-Maumelle, questioned whether the bill was needed, and if colleges and universities shouldnt be allowed to decide if illegal aliens should receive in-state tuition. "Could we maybe have a dont ask, dont tell policy?" Bright asked.
Elliott said the states colleges and universities were comfortable with the bills requirements.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Yep! Sure does but the Libs sure feel good for encouraging DIE-Verse-It-e-bity along the way.
Speaking of that, our union (IAM) replaced our yearly Valentin's Day dance with what was called a "diversity dance". It went over like a lead balloon with most members.
It really sickens me that the IAM has turned against this country by supporting amnesty. Many other members feel as I do.
I'm sure the traitor Huckabee is just delighted. He's just forced AMERICAN CITIZEN TAXPAYERS to pay even more than they already are to illegal aliens. Get a clue, Huckabee. Mexicans are NOT the American taxpayer's responsibility!
Why does the Arkansas govenor hate the Unites States and its' citizens?
a ping in disgust
63 to 31, what was the breakdown by party?
As long as White/Black America is divided amongst the two major parties where both parties are at political parity, the Hispanic will hold the balance of power. Many elections are won by less than 5 percentage points. That is why many GOP politicians are afraid to do what is right. I think the deadlock can be broken by a third party that draws Democrat and GOP nationalists to its ranks. Or 85 percent of the whites vote for one party.
(It's those Tyson chicken dollars squawking, Martha! So let's get this straight - the mad rush to open the border with Mexico and grant amnesty to umpteen tens of millions of illegal migrants is now all of a sudden tantamount to the 1957 Black civil rights movement for integration!!??)
Well Mike - this is a whole coop of chicken $hit!
Just this afternoon, I was talking to a very bright (American-born) citizen who will graduate from high school this year and he was wondering how he is going to be paying for college.
How will he Mike? Will he have to move to Mexico for a few years then come back across the border to qualify?
=====================================================
Gov. Mike Huckabee, who included the bill in his legislative package, drew a contrast between Wednesdays vote in support of illegal immigrants and the states handling of the 1957 desegregation of Little Rocks Central High School.
"They took a stand that Arkansas can be proud of," Huckabee said in describing the House. "I think if we had taken a similar one in 1957, it would have made us proud for a long, long time."
The Arkansas House of Representatives voted 63-31 to pass a bill that would allow illegal aliens who graduate from Arkansas high schools to qualify for in-state tuition rates and taxpayer-funded state scholarships at state universities.
"We have allowed these kids to dream," said Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, in support of her House Bill 1525. "We have put them in our schools, we have urged them to dream, and then we cut them off the moment they get out of high school."
We'll he better establish some credentials. He just lost a lot of votes by pulling this stunt.
"If"? I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around this thought. Aren't they already committing a crime just by being here?
Hope you can un-elect some of those people up there!
I heard a guy call in to a radio show and tell the jock that he was going to be holding a "meeting" on the capital steps and ask these "elected officials" if it was now okay for him to hire ILLEGAL aliens. He said he wanted a yes or no answer and he wasn't going to leave until he got one. He said that it would save him hundreds of thousands of dollars because he wouldn't have to pay taxes, insurance, etc. on them and he needed to make some money. lol! He was *issed!
We need all the help we can get! Please call or email these IDIOTS...
Contact Information:
Arkansas Senate
Room 320
State Capitol
Little Rock, AR
72201
In Session Phone:
501-682-2902
Out of Session Phone:
501-682-6107
Senator Jim Argue (D)
5300 Evergreen Drive, Little Rock, 72205
photo of Senator Jim Argue
Business Phone : 501-664-8632
Fax : 501-664-6792
E-mail : jargue@arkleg.state.ar.us
Senator Percy Malone (D)
518 Clay, Arkadelphia, 71923
photo of Senator Percy Malone
Business Phone : 870-246-4141
Fax : 870-246-6616
E-mail : pmalone@arkleg.state.ar.us
Senator Shawn Womack (R)
P. O. Box 332, Mountain Home, 72654
photo of Senator Shawn Womack
Business Phone : 870-424-5000
Fax : 870-424-5500
E-mail : swomack@arkleg.state.ar.us
Senator John Paul Capps (D)
914 James, Searcy, 72143
photo of Senator John Paul Capps
Business Phone : 501-268-8117
Fax : 501-278-5660
E-mail : cappsj@arkleg.state.ar.us
Senator Jim Luker (D)
P. O. Box 216, Wynne, 72396
photo of Senator Jim Luker
Business Phone : 870-238-8588
Fax : 870-238-7680
E-mail : lukerj@arkleg.state.ar.us
Senator Hank Wilkins, IV (D)
717 West 2nd Avenue, Pine Bluff, 71601
photo of Senator Hank Wilkins, IV
Business Phone : 870-536-6366
Fax : 870-536-6327
E-mail : hwilkins@arkleg.state.ar.us
Libs hate it when their favorite words get special pronunciations from us and there is not a thing they can do about it. Michael Savage is pretty good at it.
Representative Joyce Elliott
Phone: 501-570-0191
eMail: elliottj@arkleg.state.ar.us
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