Representative Joe Carr of Lascassas and eight members of the Tennessee General Assembly visited with Arizona lawmakers and Governor Jan Brewer to show their support of their recently passed legislation, Senate Bill 1070, dealing with the growing problem of illegal immigration. The agenda included presentation of House Joint Resolution 1253 to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, discussions with Senator Russell Pearce and members of the Arizona General Assembly regarding the new Arizona law, as well as a memorial ceremony to honor those whose lives were taken by illegal aliens in the enforcement of the border. The delegation was well received by Arizona lawmakers.
Like Arizona, Tennessee has experienced an ever increasing and growing problem as a direct result of the Obama Administration’s refusal to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. Rep. Carr, in providing solutions to this problem, outlines the problem.
“Conservative estimates put the illegal immigration population in Tennessee at around 150,000 at annual cost to the Tennessee taxpayer in excess of $450 million dollars per year,” said Representative Carr. He continued, “Tennessee taxpayers are paying for healthcare, education and an ever increasing burden on the judicial system from a population of people who broke the law to get here and are breaking the law by staying here.”
Some of the solutions that Rep. Carr has proposed prior to his resolution recognizing Arizona, include House Bill 1354, a law prohibiting sanctuary cities in Tennessee and House Bill 302 making it a criminal offense to use someone’s identification other than your own for the purpose of employment. These measures help to ensure Tennessee is not a magnet for illegal aliens.
Representative Carr along with his colleagues who joined him paid for all of their own expenses to make the trip. The visit was greatly appreciated by the members of the Arizona General Assembly. Senator Pearce expressed his gratitude and said he was humbled by the show of support. “Tennessee has always been known as the volunteer state and is always ready to help and get involved in a fight. They were one of the first at the Alamo and now they are one of the first in Arizona,” Pearce said.
As a direct result of the meeting with Governor Brewer and Senator Pearce, Representative Carr is planning on filing legislation that looks similar to Arizona’s law. “After meeting with Governor Brewer and Senator Pearce I came away with a better understanding of how the language needs to be structured so that it does not conflict with Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, known as the Supremacy Clause. Tennesseans overwhelmingly approve of the Arizona law and want a similar law in Tennessee,” said Rep Carr referring to a recent statewide poll that 72% of Tennesseans approve of Arizona’s efforts in dealing with illegal immigration and want a similar law in Tennessee.
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In the photo Rep. Carr is presenting a check to Arizona Gov. Brewer for $100.00 from Jerry Robinson of the Slick Pig restaurant in Murfreesboro, TN. The check was written to assist with the Arizona Defense Fund to help in the defense of Arizona against the Obama Administration’s lawsuit against Arizona. AZ Senator Pearce and TN Senator Ketron are in attendance.
