Aly Brown, Iowa City Press-Citizen 11:14 a.m. CDT August 11, 2014

Texas Gov. Rick Perry spoke Sunday night at the University Athletic Club at an event for state Senate District 39 candidate Mike Moore.

Perry praised the Second and Tenth Amendments and chastised education and health care regulations, and the powers Congress has "abjectly failed at," including border security.

"We need to get back to doing the few things that the Constitution enumerates them to do, like securing our border," he said.

Perry said he has seen "thousands of crimes" committed toward the citizens of Texas by those who have "penetrated" the U.S.-Mexican border.

Those who have immigrated illegally are "not just a Texas problem," Perry said.

"They're coming on into the other contiguous 47 of the states, even into Alaska," he said. "(I'm) seeing individuals who have penetrated through, individuals who, too often, come here with ill intent, who have criminal backgrounds, who may have been deported multiple of times."

Perry cited an example from last week when Javier Vega Jr., a Texas border patrol agent was killed in front of his family while on a fishing trip by two Mexican immigrants living in Texas illegally. Perry also added the July arrest of an illegal immigrant in Parker County, Texas, for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl.

"That has to stop," he said.

Perry said the federal government's failure to act led to his decision July 21 to send 1,000 National Guard troops to guard the border.

"If we are to be a country that's great, we have to be a country of laws, and the rule of law must mean something, and you can't just pick and choose the ones you like," he said. "I think that is one of the great dilemmas we have in this country today."

Perry said state elections are the key to overcoming an administration with "issues."

"Roll up your sleeves and go do that kind of work, and we will put not only Iowa on a trajectory that makes this state one of those places that is a true beacon in this country for economic development but also send the message across this country that the states, this powerful fabric of states, are the future of this country," he said.

"Washington, you do the few things right you are supposed to, and us states will take care of the rest of it."

Perry said state leadership itself is "common sense," while finding those to lead is more challenging.

"The hard part is finding courageous men and women like Mike Moore," he said.

Moore is running for the seat vacated by Republican senator Sandy Greiner.

In the 39th District, which encompasses parts of Washington and Johnson counties, Moore faces Democrat Kevin Kinney, a farmer and deputy sheriff.

Moore said he is campaigning for Republican values such as fiscal accountability, smaller government and lower taxes, as well as advocating for senior services.

Moore was born and raised in Washington, and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1970. After graduating, he served in the Air Force and currently he serves as COE/President of the United Presbyterian Home.

"I believe that improving this state means Iowans with a variety of knowledge and experience have to step up with their talents and skills to better the lives of all Iowans, and I'm one of those people," he said.

http://www.press-citizen.com/story/n...city/13886161/