Thread: Grassroots support for McCain-Kennedy bill grows in KC

http://www.dosmundos.com/editions/Vol25 ... s-Beng.htm

Grassroots support for McCain-Kennedy bill grows in KC

By Carmen Cardinal


Elena Morales and Father Pat Murphy hear Melinda Lewis’ comments about the McCain-Kennedy bill. (Photo by Carmen Cardinal).
Representatives of the faith, business, labor, immigrant and citizen advocate communities threw their support behind the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill this week at a meeting at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce office, 1600 Baltimore Ave., in Kansas City, Mo.


The bill, named the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, is an important measure that is co-sponsored by Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, John McCain and Edward Kennedy.


Many consider it a comprehensive and humane bill that would allow for the enforcement of labor and immigration laws and reduce the human suffering created by our broken immigration system.
Father Pat Murphy, representing the Office of Hispanic Ministry, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan., said that the Catholic Church supports immigration reform and this measure appears to be the closest to Catholic values.


“Our immigration system for too long has been fraught with human suffering and tremendous sacrifice,� said Father Murphy. “We are appalled by the deaths on the border, the pervasive exploitation, the separation of families, and the proliferation of criminals who prey on vulnerable immigrants. This situation is not only detrimental to our economy and security; it is abhorrent to our values of justice, family, and the dignity of all people.�


Murphy said the Hispanic membership of the local diocese numbers about 40 percent, in keeping with national figures.
CiCi Rojas, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, also said a sensible solution must be found to address the issue of essential workers. She said the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce plans to play an active role, through its public policy committee, in the Congressional debate.


“Immigrant workers are essential parts of many industries, including many of those –construction, hospitality, retail, janitorial – represented in our membership. As businesses in Kansas City seek to compete in the global marketplace, they need access to the vital labor that will help them to be profitable. The business community embraces immigration reform that provides incentives for immigrants to pay their taxes and learn English and makes provisions for immigration Reform Legislation in the future, legal, flow of needed workers,� said Rojas.


Dave Peterson, President of the Tri-County Labor Council and UAW Local 31 Organized Labor, was on hand to throw support behind the bill.


Peterson stressed the importance of making sure that all immigrant workers are legal workers with the same labor protections as citizen workers.


“We have to end the race to the bottom. We are committed to working in solidarity with immigrant workers, and there must be a level playing field so that all workers’ rights to a fair wage, a safe work environment, and, most importantly, a voice on the job, are protected. We want fair and effective enforcement of the laws, and that starts with laws that are fair and enforceable. This legislation is an important first step towards these goals, and we will stay involved in this debate to transform the current undocumented migrant stream into an orderly, safe, fair, and legal flow. Such a transformation will protect the rights of both immigrant workers and the U.S. workforce they join.�


Peterson said it is important to provide a path towards citizenship for hard-working immigrants in the United States.
Claudia Harris, a leader with the grassroots community organization Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), said the measure is in keeping with the struggle for immigrant rights and “for justice in all of our communities.�


She said it was a continuation of the struggle for human rights and dignity for people of color that has been a part of this country since the beginning. She said blacks and Hispanics should work together in this struggle.


“It is a demand that our country live up to its values,� she said. “We stand with immigrants because we know that winning justice in their struggle is another piece in the puzzle –we’ll keep working until everyone has a real chance at the American Dream.�


The grass roots support will be needed when the measure goes before Congress. It has strong bipartisan support.
Supporters are encouraged by a recent poll by The Tarrance Group and Lake Snell Perry Mermin & Associates that suggests 75 percent of likely voters support this kind of immigration reform: registration of undocumented workers, a regulated flow of future workers and family members, and reasonable rules that are fairly enforced.


Melinda Lewis, Director of policy advocacy and research at El Centro, Inc., said future plans include postcard campaigns to educate the public and members of Congress and to bolster support for Brownback, a co-sponsor of the bill, community forums to discuss immigration reform, and visits with Congressional delegations.

Liars, Liars, Pants Afire!!

Here is the TRUTH:

86% of Americans are OPPOSED TO AMNESTY.

70% of Americans in Vail want aliens DEPORTED.

90% of the rest of us are opposed to amnesty, want aliens deported, want their aiders and abetters prosecuted under RICO, our troops home from Iraq and placed on our BORDERS.

That is TRUTH.

BTW: Did I see another CATHOLIC CHURCH involved in this attempt to deceive the American People? Yep....I shore did....now this one's called the ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY!!

"Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do"

Catholics, when are you going to get control of your religious organization, with 501 C 3 Status, Out of Our Politics and Back to Its Religious Mass Ceremonies? IF this crap doesn't stop now, WE are going to have to pull that 501 C Tax Status.