Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

"On March 23, 2010 in Mexico City, the U.S. and Mexico launched the foundation of a 21st century bilateral partnership called "The New Border Vision." After months of consultation with the Calderon administration and joined by Secretaries Gates and Napolitano, Secretary of State Clinton announced a new policy named "Beyond Merida." The new federal accord has four key policy pillars: disrupt capacity of organized crime to operate; institutionalize capacity to sustain rule of law; create a 21st century border structure; and build strong and resilient communities. Here in the "Pass of the North," Beyond Merida must mean safety, jobs and mobility."

What Jaime O. Perez wants to do is stop every citizen based on the color of one’s skin to ask basic questions about citizenship. Without question, Perez’ move will racially profile eight in ten of all El Paso. We condemn the Arizona law and Perez’ resolution as rank violations of basic notions of American equality, fairness and justice. We have asked the County to investigate just how he put out his request framed as a County Resolution.

"What we need now is patient, careful, and strong leadership. Our three state region needs a coordinated plan and the kind of help that neighbors give neighbors. Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Juarez.”

County Clerk Dianne Florez noticed it first. Plumes of smoke were rising outside the small West Texas town of Pecos. “The prison is burning again,” she announced.

“Live Strong, Really Care, Let Live”

“Right now, in all Texas, El Paso is the best place to be. One reason is this—each day, we live strong, really care and let live.” Just what does that mean?

Let’s take look at some Texas history. In the 1940’s and 50’s, Texas was the last large Southern state. Across the South, Governors like Ross Barnett blocked black students access to the University of Mississippi, and here in Texas, Governor Shivers ordered Texas Rangers to prevent black students from entering high school. Jim Crow laws systematically discriminated based on race. Here in El Paso, Hispanics were forced to drink from public water fountains that said ‘colored only’.