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Political Opposites Speak at Nat.'l Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
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ShareJune 15, 2007 12:43 PM
ABC News' Jordan Hultine Reports: President Bush along with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-MA, Sen. Mel Martinez, R-FL and Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic Party addressed an estimated crowd of 700 attendees at the 2007 Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast Friday.
The politically diverse group spoke about their unity on the issue of immigration and the role faith-based groups, such as Esperanza, play in motivating public interest about important issues. Several mentioned the deal reached last night in the Senate that could move the immigration bill back on the Senate's agenda as soon as next week.
Bush said, "Our responsibilities are straightforward, we have to enforce the border, a basic duty of a soverign nation, we've got to create a lawful way for foreign workers to fill jobs Americans are not doing. Our economy depends on it and we must resolve the status of illegal immigrants already in our country without amnesty and without animosity."
"I'll continue to work closely with members of both parties to workout their differences and pass a bill I can sign this year," Bush said to loud applause.
Kennedy received the Leadership Award from the organization's leader, Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr., for his work on Hispanic issues, including his sponorship of the current immigration bill making its way through the Senate. He spoke about his great-grandparents, immigrants from Ireland, who came to America for the same reason immigrants continue to come for - the opportunity to work hard and support their families.
Martinez, a Cuban immigrant himself, opened his remarks in Spanish and spoke about his status as the only Hispanic-American currently serving in the U.S. Senate.
"I now have the opportunity to give back and to make a difference in people's lives…and now that opportunity manifests itself in the immigration bill and what a unique opportunity for me to help other immigrants into this country, so now they too can live and thrive in America," Martinez said.
Clinton applauded the President and Kennedy for their work on the immigration bill and commended them on helping lead the way to finding common ground between the Democrats and Republicans. She also spoke on a range of issues from immigration to healthcare and education.
"I know faith without works is dead, but work without faith is too hard," Clinton said.
Clinton also poked fun at herself saying, "I will not quote scriptures to those of you who are expert preachers. Rev. Cortez was kidding me the other day saying, 'No no, don't come and preach, I remember when you tried to preach at the African-American Baptist church."
Esperanza USA is a network of Hispanic Christians, churches, and ministries committed to raising awareness and identifying resources that strengthen the Hispanic community.
June 15, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (2)
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Great press release, too bad there wasn't a real reporter present.
For instance, a real reporter would have asked: if "enforc[ing] the border" is a "basic duty of a soverign nation", why hasn't Bush been doing it for the past six years?
And, a real reporter would have rephrased this paragraph to make clear that it was Kennedy's opinion and not that of the reporter himself:
"He spoke about his great-grandparents, immigrants from Ireland, who came to America for the same reason immigrants continue to come for - the opportunity to work hard and support their families."
Obviously, those who are able to think things through realize several problems with that comment. First, as the bills he supports make clear, he's including all types of immigrants include illegal aliens. And, is just coming here to make money sufficient? And, are all coming here for those reasons or for those reasons alone?
Could ABC please hire at least one real reporter?
Posted by: TLB | Jun 15, 2007 2:48:57 PM
Politically diverse? No way! That's the same bunch pushing amnesty for illegals.
TLB, agreed! He fully admits shirking hhis duties on border enforcement. Now hhe tries to buy votes by dangling the $4 billion dollar carrot, what garbage!
Remember the SEVEN previous "immigration" lies. None have been enforced, and this will not be either.
Posted by: Tar and Feathers | Jun 16, 2007 9:43:25 AM
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