Thread: LA Mayor Expected To Support Kennedy-McCain Immigration Bill

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/9159634/detail.html

LA Mayor Expected To Support Kennedy-McCain Immigration Bill
Villaraigosa To Meet With Sen. Kennedy

POSTED: 8:09 am PDT May 4, 2006
UPDATED: 8:19 am PDT May 4, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is scheduled on Thursday to be in Washington, D.C., where he is expected to announce his support for the Kennedy-McCain immigration bill, an aide said. Villaraigosa plans to meet with one of the bill's co-authors, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., to discuss education and immigration.

The mayor also is scheduled to speak on urban issues at the 100th annual meeting of the American Jewish Committee, which describes itself as an international think tank and advocacy organization dedicated to fighting human rights abuses and anti-Semitism.

The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act is also co-authored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. It would establish a guest worker program, an electronic employment verification system and a path toward citizenship for current illegal immigrants.

The trip is Villaraigosa's third in less than a week. "As the mayor of the second-largest city in the nation, it's important that our voice is heard in Washington, and that he build relationships to advocate for the city," said Joe Ramallo, Villaraigosa's communications director. "You just hope that it will pay dividends for the city."

Villaraigosa was in Memphis on Friday to receive the President's Award from the National Conference of Black Mayors.

On Saturday, Villaraigosa delivered the keynote address at the Democratic Senate Annual Issues Conference in Philadelphia, then headed to Washington to attend the White House Correspondents Association dinner.

Villaraigosa was in Los Angeles Sunday and Monday, and then flew to Dallas, where he joined a delegation of city and county officials meeting with National Football League owners Tuesday in an effort to bring a team to a renovated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The delegation returned from Dallas Tuesday.

Villaraigosa is expected to make another trip to the nation's capital later this month to lobby on behalf of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Ramallo said. "Anytime you spend quality time with legislators, whether it's a retreat or a meeting on the hill or the Washington correspondents dinner ... it's an important way to discuss homeland security, education, immigration rights and other issues relevant to the city," Ramallo said.

They still need the House to get it through and the majority still say No Guest Worker.

We just have to keep up the email and calling your Congressman and tell them to stay strong and defeat this Bill.