Sam Zamarripa On Floor of GA Senate, March 19, 2004
"When you bring legislation to this body that creates divisiveness among this issue, you are opening one of the deepest schisms in our country. "

"And what I want to say to this body, for those of you who are contemplating resolutions or bills that posture you as if somehow yeah rah American, I can beat back the immigrants and save the borders kind of policy, you are playing with fire."

 The Chair recognizes the representative of the thirty-sixth district for a point of personal privilege.

Thank you Mr. President, good morning ladies and gentlemen, I have had the opportunity to talk with a number of you this morning who have indicated that as a result of voting for the amendment a few days ago to include the Georgia Hispanic Chamber, the Mexican American Business Chamber, and a number of the governor's Latino commission on a study committee,, that as a result of voting for that amendment, that you have received some email that you thought was highly unusual.

I rise this morning to share with you a backdrop to the issue of immigration in this country that will continue to be during your political tenure whether it ends this year, or whether it continues next year ­ a backdrop to a very very serious conversation about how our country uses its immigration laws, how successful those laws are, and whether they improve or detract from our country.

What you have before you ­ I wanted to share this with you ­ is what is called the Zamarripa Watch. This is a site that is dedicated to following my activities here in the Senate and it has been here for more than a year. It is propagated by a group that originates, not in Georgia, but originates in Idaho. And the name of that group is the American Border Patrol. The American Border Patrol has affiliations with a number of well-known and well-established white supremacy organizations. They are extremely well organized ­ they are well funded ­ and they know how to target issues like immigration to their own best interests.

I show you this morning, not so much of an indication of anything that insinuated (?) me or alarms me. However, I do want you to take note that on page 2, they show a picture, actually a paragraph about me with a picture of the twin towers in New York City. I want to repeat that. That there is a photograph with the twin towers being bombed in a commentary about me.

I could show you a number of other things, but I particularly want those of you who are running for congress to pay attention to this issue. Because I want you to know that this issue is a very dangerous issue. This is ethnically and racially charged. It is our responsibility to be extremely careful with issues related to immigration, because there are groups who use every word you say and every act you put forward in all kinds of ways.

I don't think I need to remind you, but I will. We have had beatings of Hispanic labor workers in Georgia in recent months. And I urge you to be mindful of your words and your actions. When you bring legislation to this body that creates divisiveness among this issue, you are opening one of the deepest schisms in our country. This is not merely a matter of whether we each understand costs. This is one of the deepest philosophical issues of our time.

If your read on in the material that is presented, you will see a number of references to me, my patriotism, and a number of disparaging things that are said about me. That doesn't bother me because people say those things about you as well. But I do want to rise this morning to say that, for the record, I was born in Fort Benning, Georgia. For the record: my father was founder of the Green Berets. For the record: he fought in every war since most of you were born. For the record: He is buried at Arlington Cemetery,

There are people in this hallway, believe me Mr. Secretary, who are not registered as lobbyists, and I have an issue with that. And they are here from a well-funded extremist organization, trying to divide the people, not of just Georgia, but of the country. And I think that ought to alarm you. I don't care if they have SamZam Watch. That helps me in my district. But I do care that they disparage my political background and my patriotism and the patriotism of those who are trying to address one of the most complicated issues of our day which is immigration.

And what I want to say to this body, for those of you who are contemplating resolutions or bills that posture you as if somehow yeah rah American, I can beat back the immigrants and save the borders kind of policy, you are playing with fire. You're irresponsible. If you think it's going to take you to Congress, you're paying a big price to get there.

Is simple, very simple, ladies and gentlemen. If this body wants to speak to a federal policy regarding immigration, I would urge you simply to say, let's support the President of the United States. The President of the United States has opened this debate in a fair way. He's had the courage to step forward and say this is a debate of great importance to our future. We've always had immigration. If this body wants to resolve something, let's support a federal policy on immigration that works. I'll support that. And then let's go on with the business of the day.

But I share with you this morning because some of you have received for the first time ­ the first time you have received these little emails, and there are more to come. "This morning I joined the ranks of some of you who have already been characterized by some of the local sites. I'm in there now with Calvin Smiley, the current governor, Jimmy Carter, Bill Stevens and others. And now that they attack the ethnic and racial posts of the people that are plotting(?) Georgia's future. That doesn't bother me. What bothers me ladies and gentlemen is that we don't see through this. This is coming from an extreme group of people ladies and gentlemen, and it is up to you who as people who will let this to moderation and will see through it. And I hope as you see these emails, keep in mind that these organizations are well funded, well paid, and they come from places outside of the state of Georgia. And for those lobbyists out there representing these organizations this morning, you need to register as a lobbyist.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.