“It may be distant headlines to those in D.C., but to us at home it is very real.”
Does standing firm on conservative principles as a Texas legislator ensure that you will not get a chair on any committee; that you will be marginalized and rendered practically ineffective? From where I’m standing it sure looks that way. And yet that is what Representative Wayne Christian was willing to endure. Here is his latest.
by Wayne Christian | February 18, 2012 | News
We have ourselves a problem here in Texas and it is no secret to anyone: Our schools, hospitals, and our communities are struggling from the effects of illegal immigration into our state. You’ve heard it said, yelled even, that our federal government is abdicating its constitutional duty to protect the integrity of our borders and prevent the flow of drugs, crime, and other threats into our nation.
Most of us in Texas get it, even if the federal government is unwilling to even acknowledge the problem. We feel the burden directly as much-needed educational dollars are being diverted to educate illegal immigrants by federal mandate, our hospitals struggle to provide care to those without insurance or means in accordance with their Hippocratic Oath, or when a loved one or friend is hurt by a criminal act of an illegal immigrant. It may be distant headlines to those in D.C., but to us at home it is very real.
I have led on this issue since I was first elected to office and will continue to offer a strong and clear voice if I am privileged to return to the Texas House. I have authored, or coauthored, bills during my service to end in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, make English the official language of Texas, verify an arrested person’s immigration status before releasing them from custody, and permitting the issuance of driver’s licenses only to those lawfully allowed to work in our state. I even stood with Rep. Leo Berman in 2007 and attempted to amend the Texas Constitution to prevent the children of illegal immigrants, born in Texas, from making their parents eligible for welfare and other state financial benefits.
During the last legislative session, I stood strongly for the Sanctuary City bill, which would have empowered our police officers to inquire about a person’s immigration status during routine police work. Wouldn’t you know they vilified us conservatives for trying to remove politically-correct barriers to effective and constitutional police work?
It is my belief that the American Dream is worth it, and if folks want to come, join our great culture, and become members of our society, then they need to enter lawfully and work through the process to become citizens. As conservatives that is all we have ever asked, and do not let those in the media or on the other side of the aisle disparage you for being clear on this issue. It is state tax issue, a health care issue, an educational issue, a crime issue, but above all else, it is a constitutional issue of the highest importance. We must support legal and fair immigration and stand firmly against those whose first act in the United States is breaking the law by flouting our immigration system
If re-elected, I will continue to work with other conservative leaders and make sure that Texas is doing everything that it can to make up for our federal government’s failures, and that we continue to promote legal immigration. Because trust me…America is worth it.
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Thank you for your service to our state, and for your dedication to your beliefs.
Texans are in desperate need of real leadership. Good Sir, there is nothing the establishment can do to you, not if you refuse to let them, not if you are willing to sacrifice your seat. That is the power they hold over you.
You already have my graditude but I would hope you throw all caution to the wind next session and merely tell it like it is. Is there not a single soul in your district who you can work with and mentor to replace you and carry on the cause? Your level of empowerment is within your control, it is simply a matter of perspective.