Huckabee promotes 'open door' policy at LULAC convention Thursday, Jun 30, 2005
By Wesley Brown
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - In a impassioned speech before hundreds of influential Hispanic civil rights leaders from across the nation, Gov. Mike Huckabee told a captive audience Wednesday that America is great because it has always opened it doors up to people seeking a better way of life.
"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you," Huckabee said, citing the Golden Rule. "I have tried to govern that way and it stands to reason that I really do believe that what made this great country so great and so unique is that it has always been a place for people to run to - and not run from.
"I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...," Huckabee said as the largely Hispanic audience gave him a standing ovation.
Huckabee was the keynote speaker, along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens, which is holding its 76th annual convention in Little Rock.
About 10,000 political, community and business leaders, along with exhibitors and speakers are in Little Rock attending the convention at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention started Monday and runs through Saturday.
Although he never actually talked about the U.S. or Arkansas immigration policy, Huckabee made it very clear where he stood on the issue. In his opening remarks, he said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base.
"Pretty soon, Southern white guys like me may be in the minority," Huckabee said jokingly as the crowd roared in laughter.
He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state's capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation.
"Your gathering is so very significant for our state," Huckabee said. "We are delighted to have you."
Despite several light moments, Huckabee did not stray away from several controversial issues that made him a target of criticism during the recently ended 85th General Assembly. He said Arkansas needs to make the transition from a traditional Southern state to one that recognizes and cherishes diversity "in culture, in language and in population."
"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."
During the legislation session, Huckabee criticized an immigration bill by Republican senators Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life.
Senate Bill 206, which died in the Senate, would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and also force state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally. Holt, R-Springdale, replied later to Huckabee's comments that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.
The Republican governor, who many believe will run for president in 2008, also backed legislation that would have opened the door for illegal immigrants in Arkansas to receive college scholarships.
House Bill 1525 by Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, was approved by the House but eventually failed in the Senate. Huckabee reiterated Wednesday that he believes every child, regardless of their parent's immigration status, should have an opportunity to receive an education in the U.S.
"I ... believe that an education for every child is the most important single factor to give everyone to be their very best," he said.
In one humorous moment, Huckabee sounded very much like a presidential candidate when he recalled his educational upbringing in Hope and reminded the crowd that another famous Arkansas governor and former president grew up in the small southwest Arkansas town.
"I too still believe in a place call Hope," Huckabee said, mimicking former President Clinton's famous acceptance speech at the 1992 Democratic National Convention.
Before Huckabee spoke, John Tyson thanked the Hispanic community for standing by the Springdale-based food giant during the federal government's investigation of the company a few years ago. The U.S. Justice Department investigation alleged that Tyson helped to smuggle illegal aliens into the U.S. and employed them at various chicken-processing plants across the Southeast.
After a seven-week trial, Tyson and several managers of poultry processing plants were acquitted in March 2003 of those charges.
"At the time, it was a very difficult and very tough time for our company," Tyson said. "Thank you LULAC for standing by us."
Tyson also credited LULAC leaders for pushing the company to add Hispanics to the Tyson board and promote more Latinos to upper management and executive positions.
He also said in that last 15 years, the number of Hispanics that work for the Arkansas company has increased significantly.
"I am proud to tell you that more than 40,000 of our workers are Latinos," Tyson said of the company's 114,000 employees. "We are learning, growing and benefiting from that diversity."
Want more? Here ya go:
He has compared illegal aliens to slaves brought here in chains from Africa, saying, "I think frankly the Lord is giving us a second chance to do better than we did before."
Toward that end, when an Arkansas legislator introduced a bill that would prevent illegal aliens from voting and receiving state benefits, Huckabee denounced the bill, saying it would rile up "those who are racist and bigots."
He also made the insane point that companies like Toyota would not invest in Arkansas if the state didn't allow non-citizens to vote because it would "send the message that, essentially, 'If you don't look like us, talk like us and speak like us, we don't want you.'
Anybody who compares Africans brought here against their will as slaves to illegal aliens sneaking over the border is a despicable piece of scum. The charlatan fraud Hucakabee can kiss my ass, and promptly FOAD immediately afterward. He is the worst RINO in the race.
November 06, 2007
Little Rock, AR ˆ Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee announced the launch of his Arkansas GOP Leadership team today ˆ a group that includes a growing list of current and former federal and state Republican officials from the Natural State.
"Republicans in Arkansas have a long track record of taking on difficult tasks, overcoming tremendous challenges and winning battles that no one thought we could win," Huckabee said. "Despite being in a mostly Democrat state, we had great success in cutting taxes, passing pro-life legislation, fighting for the family, improving education and highways and making government more efficient."
"I have known Governor Huckabee for many years, and at one time, I served as his Chief Legal Counsel," former U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins said. "He is a true leader, who makes firm, informed decisions based on simple standards of right and wrong and what is best for the citizens who elected him. He owns his decisions and doesn't need to take a poll before deciding to do what's right. He has been so successful with his straightforward approach that it makes you wonder why more of these people don't try it."
"The two main reasons I support Gov. Huckabee for President are the fact that he has always been pro-life ˆ and he has more than 10 years of executive experience," former Cong. Jay Dickey said. "Gov. Huckabee far outdistances himself from the other candidates by his outstanding moral values and conservative convictions."
"For the past 14 years, I have watched Mike Huckabee lead our state," former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson said. "He fought the Democrat machine in Arkansas and brought honor and dignity to our highest office. He has campaigned long and hard for our Republican candidates to help build a better Arkansas ."
"I had the privilege of serving for eight years in the legislature during the Huckabee administration," Sen. Shawn Womack said. "Anyone who saw his leadership during the Hurricane Katrina relief effort had to be impressed by the way he was able to organize the resources of the state to provide relief and comfort to the tens of thousands of evacuees."
"My experience with Gov. Huckabee that of a man who was thoughtful and well reasoned in his decisions," Former Rep. Doug Matayo said. " Arkansas is much better off because Mike Huckabee was our Governor. He is the best choice for president and I completely support his candidacy."
The following is a list of those who have signed on as members of Huckabee's Arkansas GOP Leadership Team:
§ Bud Cummins ˆ Former U.S. Attorney
§ John Paul Hammerschmidt ˆ Former U.S. Congressman
§ Asa Hutchinson ˆ Former U.S. Congressman
§ Tim Hutchinson ˆ Former U.S. Senator
§ Jay Dickey ˆ Former U.S. Congressman
§ Betty Dickey ˆ Former Chief Justice of Ark. Supreme Court
§ John Boozman ˆ U.S. Congressman
§ Dennis Milligan ˆ Arkansas Republican Party Chairman
§ Gay White ˆ Former First Lady of Arkansas
Lisenne Rockefeller ˆ Widow of the Late Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller
Jim Burnett ˆ Republican National Committeeman & Former NTSB Chairman
Reta Hamilton ˆ Republican National Committeewoman
Phyllis Kincannon ˆ Arkansas Republican Party Activist
Prissy Hickerson ˆ Former Arkansas HighwayCommissioner
Doyle Webb ˆ Former State Senator
Barbara Webb ˆ Former Saline County Prosecutor
Phil Wyrick ˆ Former State Senator
Carolyn Pollan ˆ Former State Representative
Gilbert Baker ˆ State Senator
Sharon Trusty ˆ State Senator
Denny Altes ˆ State Senator
Bill Pritchard ˆ State Senator
Michael Lamoureux ˆState Representative and House Minority Leader
Mark Martin ˆ State Representative
Jim Medley ˆ State Representative
Frank Glidewell ˆ State Representative
Bryan King ˆ State Representative
Beverly Pyle ˆ State Representative
Rick Green ˆSate Representative
Mary Beth Green ˆ Former State Representative
David Haak ˆ Former State Representative
Doug Matayo ˆ Former State Representative
Hoyt Johnson ˆ Former State Representative Candidate
Andy Mayberry ˆ Former U.S. Representative Candidate
Joyce Campbell ˆ Former State Rep. Candidate
Chee Chee Tamburo ˆ Former State Rep. Candidate
Wayne Bowen ˆ Justice of the Peace
Carol Lester ˆ Arkansas County Chairman
Mark Dye ˆ Scott County GOP Chairman
Ladon Copelin ˆ GOP Party Activist
Bernard Mize ˆ Polk County Chair
Billie Sue Hoggard ˆ Former State Representative Candidate
"I'm proud to have these fellow Republicans on my team," Huckabee said. "Their support, combined with the growing momentum of the campaign, will give us what we need for a strong showing in Iowa and the early primary states."
He worked hard to get FREE "prenatal care for illegal alien pregnant mothers" passed. He worked equally as hard to pass on the message that pregnant illegals will be able to have healthy, happy babies from the womb to the nursery here in Arkansas...for FREE! That if they sought prenatal care, they shouldn't fear being "deported".
He broad-casted his message that he wanted all the new Hispanic babies born in Arkansas to be healthy and happy..as new US Citizens.
I loathe bumping your threads, dano.
sw