Thread: OFIR's Salem,OR Capitol Rally

I was unable to attend (car is down), but here is a report of the rally and some links for articles. All seems to have gone well and it appears that many Oregon legislators have been getting on board, to do something about illegal immigration in Oregon!

Reports on Capitol Rally, Friday, February 9, 2007

Those of us who attended the Capitol Rally on Friday found it interesting, exciting, and informative. Rep. Flores and Rep. Thatcher were the main speakers, describing to the group each of their 10 immigration reform bills. Rick Hickey, OFIR VP, also spoke, urging passage of the bills by the Oregon Legislature. A long line of legislators stood to one side to be introduced; several addressed the group with encouraging words.

The audience included members from 3 political parties – Republican, Democratic, and Constitution, also many Oregon Minutemen, OFIR members, as well as the general public. One published crowd estimate, 100, was too low. Other estimates ranged up to 175, very good for a working day and an event that did not have much advance notice.

A number of reports were printed or posted on the Internet. A long Associated Press article by Julia Silverman was posted on the online edition of the Oregonian, while the print edition showed only a single photograph.

Silverman’s article can be read at:

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/reg ... st=orlocal

Click on “Print This” to read entire article without ad insertions, or read it at:

http://www.newsregister.com/news/story. ... _no=218320.

The same article was posted on several websites, including KPIC-TV, Roseburg, and KVAL-TV, Eugene.

The Statesman Journal printed a report by Thelma Guerrero, with 2 photographs; the article can be seen online at:

http://statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.d ... /702100340

A news release issued by Rep. Flores and Rep. Thatcher gives this account of the rally, and lists the bill numbers:



SENSIBLE IMMIGRATION REFORM LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE KICKS OFF AT CAPITOL RALLY


(Salem) A package of 10 immigration reform bills was unveiled today on the steps of the State Capitol. “We decided to call this legislation the Sensible Immigration Reform Package because it offers common sense ways to preserve some of the core principles of our democracy: public safety, economic development and recognizing we are a nation of immigrants,” said State Representative Linda Flores (R-Clackamas) at a rally on the steps of the State Capitol today.



Representatives Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) and Flores have been drafting these bills for months and asked the House Speaker to form a special committee to take a serious look at these reforms. “But that didn’t happen so there’s a good chance these bills will be scattered into different committees and swept under the rug,” said Thatcher. “Don’t let that happen. We need your help to keep up the pressure. Let your legislators know immigration reform is important to you.”



Several other legislators attended the rally to show support. House Republican Leader Wayne Scott (R-Canby) told the crowd, “their package is a wake-up call to the Governor and many in the House and Senate who campaigned on this issue.” These bills are among several already circulating in the Capitol. They will have a first reading on Tuesday February 13th and be posted on the legislature’s web site the following day. http://www.leg.state.or.us



Sensible Immigration Reform Legislative Package


HB 2680 VOTER REGISTRATION - Requires prospective voter registrants to provide proof of citizenship.

HB 2681 STATE EMPLOYMENT FOR LEGAL RESIDENTS -Bars state from hiring or entering into contract with employer of illegal aliens

HB 2682 POLICE TOOLS - Gives law enforcement in Oregon more latitude by repealing ORS 181.850 to give police more flexibility to detain violators of federal immigration laws.

HB 2683 HUMAN TRAFFICKING - Creates crimes of slavery; & sexual slavery of a minor.

HB 2684 ENGLISH LANGUAGE - Makes English official language of Oregon.

HB 2685 STATE BENEFITS - Grants those here legally access to state benefits. Illegal immigrants would only be entitled to benefits currently allowed by federal law.

HB 2686 REAL ID Brings Oregon into compliance with the Federal REAL ID Act. Proof of legal presence required for drivers’ license or ID card, as well as verification of identity, date of birth, address, and other related documents.

HJR 20 AGRICULTURAL WORKERS - Directs State Employment Dept to participate in federal H2A Visa program for temporary agricultural employment.

HJM 8 PRISON BEDS - Resolution requesting that the federal government fully reimburse the states for the cost of housing illegal immigrants in Oregon’s prison system.

(Pending) CONGRESSIONAL ACTION - Memorial to urge federal government to utilize laws to curb illegal immigration, and commend the contributions of lawful immigrants.

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Some other accounts of the rally:

Report from Northwest Public Radio:

http://www.nwpr.org/HomepageArticles/Ar ... spx?n=2673

Same article on OPB News, by Chris Lehman:

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/n ... ID=1038529

From Oregonian online edition:

“Slew of bills targets illegal immigration,” by Janie Har.

http://www.oregonlive.com/weblogs/print ... 35898.html

OFIR is a great group and they really have their act together.

W

Jim Luwick is a really understated, but well spoken man. When you first meet him, it is hard to imagine this soft-spoken farmer is the leader of this powerful group.

He has had numerous commentaries printed in the Oregonian which have really helped shed the light on this growing problem in Oregon. I believe if it had not been for him, our politicians here would still be sitting idle.

His focus on the Carousels of Information which the Mexican Consualate would have all over the state, where Governnor Ted Kulongoski would send paid state employees to go and disseminate information to illegal aliens how to financially rape our state, if he had not been at every one of these and put the pressure on, and brought attention statewide of this, it would still be going on.

Now our governnor with the brown nose, is now leaning towards some enforcement and crackdown issue on illegal immigration. Well, as long a he is doing it.