79S32058 CLE-D

By:  Merritt                                                      H.R. No. 751



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, President George W. Bush will address the nation on 
the evening of Monday, May 15, 2006, to urge Congress to pass 
comprehensive immigration reform legislation that secures our 
borders, improves enforcement of immigration laws, meets the needs 
of our economy, and upholds our highest values; and
	WHEREAS, The President's plan for comprehensive immigration 
reform includes three critical elements:  securing the country's 
borders; strengthening enforcement of immigration laws inside the 
United States; and creating a temporary worker program that 
provides a legal way to match willing foreign workers with willing 
American employers; and
	WHEREAS, Comprehensive immigration reform legislation is 
necessary to build on past successes in increasing the manpower, 
technology, and infrastructure needed for border security; since 
President Bush took office, funding for border security has 
increased by 66 percent, and the U.S. Border Patrol has been 
expanded by nearly 30 percent to more than 12,000 agents; and
	WHEREAS, Similarly, Congress must provide additional 
resources to strengthen enforcement of immigration laws; in 2005, 
President Bush signed legislation to more than double the resources 
dedicated to worksite enforcement, and his priorities include 
holding businesses accountable and vigorously prosecuting document 
forgery; and
	WHEREAS, The temporary worker program proposed by President 
Bush is vital to ensuring our national security; creating a 
separate, legal channel for those entering the U.S. to perform 
honest work would dramatically reduce the number of people 
attempting to cross the border illegally and allow law enforcement 
personnel to prioritize greater threats to our security such as 
terrorists, drug dealers, and other criminals; and
	WHEREAS, President Bush's comprehensive immigration reform 
plan does not provide amnesty, reflecting the president's strong 
belief that amnesty would encourage future waves of illegal 
immigration, increase pressure on the border, and make it more 
difficult for law enforcement to focus on those who mean us harm; 
and
	WHEREAS, Texas shares 65 percent of the U.S. border with 
Mexico, and our state would benefit greatly from President Bush's 
plan to create an immigration system that is fairer, more 
consistent, and more compassionate, and that safeguards our economy 
and workforce; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby express its support for 
President George W. Bush's comprehensive immigration reform plan.