Protestors of House of Representatives Bill 4437 picketed in front of the Exhibition Hall of the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds Tuesday, March 21, during which Wally Herger, Second Congressional District Representative, delivered a speech. The bill is one that will tighten border patrols and make the immigration of aliens into the United States a more difficult task. Congressman Herger voted in favor the bill because he believes that if the US borders are not adequately supervised, another 9/11 catastrophe may occur.
House of Representatives Bill 4437, which Herger admits he is “not familiar with,” will have a large impact on the workforce of the United States. By making it a federal offense to work as an illegal alien, many families will risk losing their jobs, being deported, and their employers’ jobs may also be at risk. Although some have argued that the intention of HR 4437 is to prevent terrorist attacks, the bill will affect many Hispanic families that are already a part of neighborhoods and communities nationwide.
Protestors have gathered around the country to prevent the bill from passing. Not only have small communities like Yuba City seen such protests, but Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Sacramento have likewise witnessed the reaction of public disapproval.
Herger addressed other issues during his speech on March 21, pushing for emergency levee repairs in Sacramento Valley, tightened border patrols and support to the Veterans and Soldiers in the armed forces. Herger said that he is willing to support any funding to aid in the War against Terrorism and is “willing to do whatever it takes to protect the country against another 9/11.” Herger wants to prevent Iran, which he says is the most stable threat to our nation, from declaring a war with us. He hopes for a peaceful surrender from the Middle Eastern states.
After Herger’s speech, Jeffery Girard, Director of Yuba-Sutter Pride, interrogated him on the subject of homosexuals. When asked about opposition to homosexuals in the military, Herger said, “I think it’s a sad situation. My heart goes out to every single person (who is homosexual) in that situation.” Herger claimed that the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy prevents discrimination towards homosexuals in the armed forces. But Herger continued, “I believe in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.”
Herger was reelected into his tenth term as a member of the House of Representatives in November of 2004. As a long-standing member of the Yuba-Sutter Community, he says that he pays attention to what is happening in this richly-agricultural district. About once a year, Herger tours his District calling town-hall meetings to garner local input for US government laws and policies.
Herger can be contacted at his Chico office: Herger for Congress Committee, P.O. Box 1500, Chico, CA 95927-1500, (530) 892-1555, or at his e-mail, wally@wallyherger.com.
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