WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-31) delivered the Democratic Hispanic Radio Address this past Saturday, October 15, 2005. Rep. Becerra discussed the need to rebuild the American community, to enact comprehensive immigration reform, and to work with our allies to strengthen border security.
The audio of Rep. Becerra’s address can be downloaded and heard by following this link: http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/audio/addresses/20051015_becerra.mp3.
Below is Rep. Becerra’s address as it was delivered on Saturday:
“Buenos días. Les habla el Congresista Xavier Becerra de Los Angeles, California.
“En las útimas semanas todos hemos sido testigos de eventos dramáticos en nuestro país. Vimos actos de valor, la gente tratando de ayudarse el uno al otro. Eso representa lo mejor de los Estados Unidos.
“Tristemente, también vimos a gente desesperada sobreviviendo en condiciones horribles. Y en cuanto a miles de inmigrantes que también perdieron todo en el huracán Katrina, vimos al gobierno federal darles la espalda.
“Con los acontecimientos del Huracán Katrina, nuevamente surge la pregunta; cuando va a actuar el Presidente Bush y el gobierno nacional para sacar a millones de inmigrantes de las sombras de este país.
“Hace casi dos años, el Presidente Bush prometió reformar las leyes inmigratorias. Ya sabíamos que su plan no iba a incluir un camino a la legalización para los inmigrantes indocumentados. Lo que no sabíamos era que el Presidente iba a rendir el control del debate sobre la reforma inmigratoria a extremistas anti-inmigrantes del partido Republicano.
“Nuestro país y gobierno son capazes de algo mejor.
“La mayoría de los indocumentado son de origen mexicano, y un Mexico fuerte resulta en un Estados Unidos más fuerte. Porque entonces tomó el Presidente Bush una buena relación con Mexico y la hechó a perder? Esta semana viajaré, junto con mi colega el Congresista Raúl Grijalva, y con el Presidente del Partido Demócrata nacional Howard Dean a Mexico, donde nos reuniremos con los candidatos a la presidencia de los tres partidos principales del país.
“Nuestra visita enviará un fuerte mensaje de que los Demócratas estamos comprometidos con fortalecer las relaciones entre nuestros dos países, y con fortalecer la democracia en Mexico, para que podamos lograr verdaderos adelantos en temas como la seguridad fronteriza y una sensible reforma inmigratoria, asi como adelantar los intereses de las economías de ambos países.
“Aquí en los Estados Unidos, los Demócratas seguiremos defendiendo nuestros valores, y liderando la lucha contra el prejuicio y la desigualdad. Con los Demócratas al mando, el gobierno no le daría la espalda a su gente. Reconoceríamos el trabajo arduo, y buscaríamos recompensar a los que simplemente desean dejarle un mundo mejor a sus hijos.
“Les habló el Congresista Xavier Becerra. Gracias por escuchar.”
Below is an English translation of Rep. Becerra’s address:
”Good morning. This is Congressman Xavier Becerra from Los Angeles, California.
”In recent weeks we’ve all witnessed dramatic events in our country. We saw acts of courage, and people trying to reach out to help one another. That was America at its best.
”Sadly we also saw people desperately surviving in horrible conditions. And in the case of thousands of immigrants who also lost everything to Hurricane Katrina, we saw the federal government turn its back on them.
”In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, once again the question that comes up is: when will President Bush and the federal government act to bring millions of immigrants out of the shadows of this country?
“Almost two years ago, President Bush promised to reform the nation’s immigration laws. We already knew his plan would not include a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants. What we did not know was that the president was going to surrender control of the debate on immigration reform to anti-immigrant extremists in the Republican Party.
“America can do better.
”Most undocumented immigrants are of Mexican origin, and a strong Mexico results in a stronger America. Why then did President Bush take a good relationship with Mexico and throw it away? This week I will travel, along with my colleague Congressman Raul Grijalva, and the chairman of the national Democratic Party Howard Dean, to Mexico, where we will meet with presidential candidates of the three major parties in the country.
“Our visit will send a powerful message that Democrats are committed to strengthening the relationship between our two countries, and strengthening Mexico’s democracy, so that we can make real progress on issues like border security and sensible immigration reform, as well as advance the interests of both countries’ economies.
”Here in America, Democrats will continue to stand up for our values, and lead the fight against prejudice and inequality. With the Democrats leading, government wouldn’t turn its back on its people. We would recognize hard work, and look to reward all folks who simply wish to leave the world better for their children.
”This is Congressman Xavier Becerra. Thank you for listening.”
# # # Becerra.house.gov # # #