http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... edo20.html

Colo. legislator applauds Prop. 200

Casey Newton
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 20, 2006 12:00 AM

The passage of Proposition 200 in 2004 galvanized the discussion of immigration issues nationwide, a Colorado congressman told state senators Thursday.

"It really was a monumental event," Rep. Tom Tancredo said on the Senate floor. "It changed the debate throughout the United States, and I want to say thank you for that."

The Republican credited Arizona officials with supporting the measure, which is designed to prevent undocumented immigrants from getting state benefits or voting.

Tancredo got a much warmer reception in the Senate than he did at a press conference on the lawn outside. A throng of protesters crashed the conference, offering a loud and overwhelmingly negative running commentary on his remarks.

Tancredo appeared with U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., and state Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, as part of a multistate tour to promote stronger enforcement of immigration laws.

Tancredo's "Save America Now" tour arrived in Arizona on a day that business and labor groups went to Washington to offer support for legislation he spoke against.

Representatives of a coalition {most likely invasion cheerleaders} of the groups said they generally favor legislation that would permit undocumented immigrants to obtain work visas, with the chance to apply for permanent residency.