http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stor ... 0081.shtml
April 13, 2007

Lawmaker demands public apology for fellow Republican's ''joke''
The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - At least one member of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus has demanded a public apology over an e-mail that a fellow Republican lawmaker thought was a funny way to remind people to pay their taxes.

Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, recently forwarded a cartoon from his state e-mail account to his colleagues that read: "Don't forget to pay your taxes ... 12 million illegal aliens are depending on you!"

Brown said Friday he meant the message as a joke, but it was met with a fierce reaction from many other lawmakers. He later sent a follow-up e-mail to apologize.

Brown still needs to make a public apology, said Rep. Juan Carlos "J.C." Planas, a Miami Republican and member of the Hispanic caucus.

"I think he has to specifically state that he understands now that that term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals, and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology," Planas said.

Brown said he's finished with the issue.

"People were offended by it and I have apologized to those who were offended by it," Brown said. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm done. Now if they want to elevate it to an entire new debate about illegal aliens, then we can have that debate."

He added: "I apologize if anyone was offended, but it doesn't change the fact that there is an issue, a legitimate political issue of debate today about immigration, so let's move on."

Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa, another member of the Hispanic caucus, said he was not upset by Brown's e-mail.

"What a member sends around in an e-mail that was intended as a joke, I think it's created a bit of a waste of time," Traviesa said. "I don't believe Don Brown is insensitive to the plight of immigrants."