Posted on 05/26/2006 9:52:57 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO - More than half of Republican state lawmakers from the Inland area skipped Mexican President Vicente Fox's speech to the Legislature on Thursday to protest what they said are his government's unacceptable policies on illegal immigration.
In a late-afternoon address to a joint session of the Legislature, the outgoing Mexican leader praised the economic ties between Mexico and the United States and stressed the need for continued investment in the Mexican economy.
Most Republican lawmakers listened to Fox's remarks in person. Some refused to stand when Fox entered or to applaud. Most of the empty seats on the Republican side were those of the Inland delegation.
"I think it's completely inappropriate for the head of another country to come and lobby our state Legislature for amnesty," said state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta.
Besides Hollingsworth, state Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, and Assembly members John J. Benoit, R-Palm Desert, Russ Bogh, R-Beaumont, and Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta, skipped the speech in protest.
Lawmakers said they made their decisions separately.
Bogh said Fox has failed to make a "genuine attempt" to address illegal immigration.
"In Mexico, it's a felony to be an illegal immigrant. Then he comes to the U.S. and criticizes it when we try to do it," Bogh said. "I think the president's speaking out of both sides out of his mouth."
In a microcosm of the national split among Republicans over the issue, some GOP lawmakers from the Inland region were adamant about attending Fox's speech.
Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City, whose district borders Mexico, said it "is extremely important that we be respectful of a visiting dignitary whether or not we agree with his point of view."
Garcia said both the United States and Mexico have a responsibility "in stopping illegal immigration and working on a comprehensive immigration policy."
State Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, attended the speech even though he disagrees with Fox on many issues. Dutton said he didn't think skipping the speech "accomplishes anything." Lawmakers make a strong point by listening to Fox and "not being chased out of our house."
Lawmakers are supposed to get permission from legislative leaders before they can miss a session. Benoit said Fox's visit is a special case.
"This is a very highly charged discussion we're having that he is interjecting himself into," said Benoit, who watched the speech from his office. "He comes to us in light of many statements he's made over the course of the years that are just contradictory to my beliefs."
Democratic lawmakers from the Inland region said Fox deserved better.
"He's the head of a country. They should at least respect him for that," said state Sen. Nell Soto, D-Pomona.
""In Mexico, it's a felony to be an illegal immigrant. Then he comes to the U.S. and criticizes it when we try to do it," Bogh said.""
Allowing this thug to come onto U.S. soil, and presume to dictate to us how we police our borders, and foreign policy(along with thinly veiled threats) is tantamount to an an act of war!
Hurray for the few patriots California has left!
I will write them all a note of thanks.
Yea Ray Haynes! I knew I didn't have to write him and tell him to do the right thing. He always does the right thing.
Yeah I like Ray Haynes alot, too bad he is giving up and leaving office. That proves he is not stupid, he knows it is a losing battle.
Good for them. McClintock skipped it to.
"'I think it's completely inappropriate for the head of another country to come and lobby our state Legislature for amnesty,' said state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta.
Besides Hollingsworth, state Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, and Assembly members John J. Benoit, R-Palm Desert, Russ Bogh, R-Beaumont, and Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta, skipped the speech in protest."
Glad to see some locals with 'nads. :) In reality, many of our states have these types of people on the payroll. They need MUCH better PR, IMHO. Wish the Pubbies would toot their own horns on a daily basis. They don't do it nearly enough and there are situations like this every day where Pubbies stand up for their convictions.
Keeping an eye on things at a state level keeps my faith in Republicans alive, no matter what daily stupidity rears it's ugly head in our national House and Senate.
Hokay by me.
Tom McClintock personally answers emails, no form letters, etc. I email him on stuff and always get a personal reply from him.
I emailed him earlier:
Thank you for being a man of principle (again) and boycotting Fox's visit. It is nice to know there are a few patriots left in California.
His answer:
Thank you Sherri for the kind words.
Tom
: ).........Hokay!
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