HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2006-29 RESOLUTION NO. R2006-29
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, IMPLORING AND URGING THE
PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES
OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO STRONGLY ENFORCE
THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT,
TITLE 8 USC 1101-1537, AND TO APPROVE INTO LAW, IN THE NEXT
CONGRESSIONAL SESSION, THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO
SUCH ACT TO ADDRESS OUR CITIZENS' CONCERNS REGARDING
THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THE POROUS BORDERS OF OUR
COUNTRY ARE HAVING ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE
QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR CITIES,OUR STATES,AND OUR NATION.
WHEREAS, the United States of America was founded on the basic principle that it is a
country of laws, not of inen, and the absolute necessity to both obey and respect the law; and
WHEREAS, these principles of government and citizenship have been adhered to since
our independence was declared on July 4, 1776, with the stirring words of the Declaration of
Independence, the final ratification of the United States Constitution in 1789, and the passage of
the Bill of Rights in 1791, and we have passed these principles on to each generation thereafter,
particularly to our school children; and
WHEREAS, the Immigration and Nationality Act, Title 8 United States Code §§ 1101-
1537 (the "Immigration Act"), as amended, has throughout our history been and continues to be
one of our country's most important laws, as it directly relates to the security of the country's
borders and serves as the only means by which we can reasonably assure our citizens that those
coming into our country from other countries are good citizens who will be loyal to this country,
respect the Rule of Law, and contribute to the overall welfare of our citizens and this country;
and
WHEREAS, in the last ten (10) years or so, the Immigration Act has not been strongly
enforced and literally millions of illegal aliens have come into our country in flagrant violation
of the Immigration Act, mostly through our southerly borders; and
WHEREAS, consequently, the border states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and
California have been impacted the most from this influx of illegal aliens, the great majority of
whom reside in these border states; and
WHEREAS, such open, porous borders are a clear threat to our national security, which
threat was significantly heightened by the large-scale terrorist attack on September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of this State and nation, including the citizens of this City are
concerned and frustrated that the President and the entire Executive and Legislative Branches of
the United States government have and are totally failing in the enforcement of the Immigration
Act as it relates to the influx of illegal aliens; and
WHEREAS, if the Executive and Legislative Branches of government and our
Legislative Delegation believe the current Immigration Act to be inadequate to address the
problems related to the flow of millions of illegal aliens into our country, then Congress should
set aside its partisan differences and agree to make amendments to such Act and address such
inadequacies; and
WHEREAS, our local citizens are worried and concerned about the impact of such
illegal aliens on our national security, crime rates, illicit drug trade, the negative impacts on their
property values, public school and hospital systems, taxes, and welfare costs; and
WHEREAS, although the issues are complex, the underlying principle is the necessity
for citizens and immigrants into this country to obey and respect the Rule of Law, which has not
occurred with respect to the Immigration Act for at least the last ten(10) years; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Friendswood, Texas, is sympathetic to the
pleas of its citizens and is, consequently, reviewing the role the City can take to help support and
enforce the United States immigration laws; and
WHEREAS, the City Council will take all legal steps available to respond to the
legitimate concerns of our citizens regarding the breakdown and failure of the Unites States
government to enforce the Immigration Act;now,therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
TEXAS:
Section 1. The facts and matters set forth in this Resolution are hereby found to be true
and correct.
Section 2. The City Council hereby urges and implores the President and the
Executive and Legislative Branches of government of the United States to immediately
commence enforcement our immigration laws and to address the serious problem of the
breakdown of the Rule of Law in this country as it relates to the millions of illegal aliens
currently within our boundaries and crossing our borders.
Section 3. The City Council hereby urges and implores the United States Congress
and the Congressional delegation from the State of Texas, including Senator Kay Bailey
Hutchison, Senator John Cornyn, and all of the Honorable members of Congress representing
this State, to exert their combined wisdom, strength, influence, and dedication to the Rule of
Law, and to take all necessary steps to see that a meaningful amendment to the Immigration Act
is approved during the next Congressional Session, which addresses the many concerns of the
citizens of Friendswood and of this State and nation.
Section 4. The City Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to immediately
forward a copy of this Resolution, signed by the Mayor and each member of the City Council, to
the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, and to the Honorable
Congressional Delegation of the State of Texas.
R2006-29 2
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE 16th DAY OF October 2QQ6.
David J. . ith,Mayor
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W. Chris Peden, Mayor Pro-Tem ou cilmember La Ewing
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uncilmember Jo Le our C cilmember Jim Hill
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C ci ember Jay Hor Councilmember Mel Measeles
ATTEST:
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eloris McKenzie, Roger oecker
City Secretary Acting City Manager
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