House Congressional Hispanic Caucus

PHOENIX (By Jon Garrido, Hispanic News, The Blue Dogs of the Democratic Party and Americause) March 19, 2007 — Hispanic members of congress are not visible. They are no where to be found except for the gutsy and admirable Southern California Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez. We agree with her position and support her battle with the old guard of the House Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

It would behoove the House Congressional Hispanic Caucus to adopt her position for her position is also the position of the Blue Dogs of the Democratic Party, Hispanic News and Americause.

For the chairman and members of the House Congressional Hispanic Caucus to think American Hispanics are not cognizant of this issue is extremely naive. To believe there is no need for accountability is a grave error in leadership unless changed, could lead to the Hispanic News coalition of the Blue Dogs of the Democratic Party and Americause charged with electing more Democrats to Congress in 2008 to also include replacing incumbents who do not represent the needs of American Hispanics.

The days of Hispanics being elected to office and remaining in office by attending a Cinco de Mayo festival back home have come to an end.

Being Hispanic is no longer enough. Being Hispanic no longer suffices. Hispanic is more than just skin color. Hispanics need engaged representation from a member of Congress. Hispanics elected to Congress should take the reins of leadership for all Americans and champion Hispanic causes. Members of Congress represent the people of their district. Authoring legislation and debating the merits of the bill are the only true hallmark of representation.

The scholars at universities rise and fall on one tenet — Publish or Perish. This now needs to apply for all Hispanic members of Congress. Incumbency for the sake of Incumbency is misplaced. Accountability should be the norm as American Hispanics evolve.

The primary purpose of the House Congressional Hispanic Caucus should be to expand its membership by electing more Hispanics to congress. An expanded Hispanic caucus will gain enhanced prominence as a voting block and lead to more effective representation of America's Hispanics.

The "farm team" is already in place across the United States and ready to run for congress. This is where all financial resources should be spent and must be the primary priority for the House Congressional Hispanic Caucus. This is where the Blue Dogs of the Democratic Party will play a major role in 2008.

Joe Baca, D-Calif., is shortsighted to believe there is not yet a "farm team" and the only qualified persons to be members of congress are now serving in the U.S. Congress.

This is a direct slap in the face on countless successful Hispanics probably more capable of leadership than exhibited by some Hispanic members of Congress. To suggest a "farm team" is required to enable Hispanics to serve in Congress is simply naive. No wonder the chairman is seen as not adequate in leadership.

There are many American Hispanics now qualified to become a member of congress. Outreach should be a priority to assist election of members of congress to increase the size of the Hispanic caucus and not the "farm team" approach advocated by Baca.

It should also be noted any Hispanic member of congress who does not meet the standard of performance should step aside or Hispanic News will inform the local Hispanic community of the lack of member performance so others may be elected to replace ineffective incumbents whose time has come and gone.

Today, Hispanic is more than just skin color. We are continually evolving and taking our rightful place as an American constituency. American Hispanics require a high level of competence and representation.

For Hispanic members of congress presently serving, we need smart, intelligent, persons who have the moral compass engraved on their hearts and minds that advance moral and social values and civil justice which are hallmarks of the Kingdom of Conscience that treat equally all persons living in the United States. This includes all Americans by birth, by choice and non citizens who live in the United States but are protected by the U.S. Constitution.

All Hispanic members of congress have a profound responsibility to advance the well being of Hispanics. Hispanics are elected to congress to "represent the people" of their districts. Representation by definition is authored legislation and debate that has an impact on all Hispanics. Members of congress must be judged by authorship of legislation and debating other members of congress to influence authored legislation to gain congressional approval.

Unless legislation is authored and debated — photo ops, sponsored seminars, conferences, training sessions and citizenship classes are no substitution for authored legislation and debate.

Today, there are two Hispanic congressmen who should not run for re-election for they have failed to achieve the standard of required competence to get the job done in representing constituents.

For 16 years, Ed Pastor representing Congressional District 4 of Arizona has no legislative record.

There are similarities between Rip Van Winkle and Ed Pastor.

"Rip Van Winkle" means either a person who sleeps for a long period of time, 20 years, or one who is inexplicably perhaps even blissfully unaware of current events such as the Iraq War. Pastor was the only congressman out of 435 who did not stand in the well of the House to debate ending the Iraq War. He sat on his hands and did not think it important to debate ending the Iraq war which has plundered our financial resources required for the well being of America and specifically his home district, On a sadder note, the Iraq war has robbed our greatest resource, the young Hispanic men and women who died for a senseless unjustified war. Sadly, the returning wound will always bear the marks of an unjustified war.

Ed Pastor has been asleep for 16 years.

Edward Pastor has sponsored 18 bills since Jan 6, 1999, of which 14 did not make it out of committee with 2 successfully enacted. These 2 were of no sustenance but are similar to the countless merit declarations handed out by towns and cities at mayor and council sessions across the United States.

Unless legislation is authored and debated — photo ops, sponsored seminars, conferences, training sessions and citizenship classes are no substitution for authored legislation and debate.

Pastor is Hispanic. Thus just being Hispanic no longer suffices. Hispanic is more than just skin color. Hispanics need engaged representation from a member of Congress. Hispanics elected to Congress should stand in the fray of leadership of all Americans and champion Hispanic causes. They should not sit on their hands and let others debate the important issues of the day.

Ed Pastor, American Hispanics' Rip Van Winkle should not be re-elected to congress. Hispanic News, the Blue Dogs of the Democratic Party and Americause will support another candidate to replace Pastor in 2008.

Recommending an additional 30,000 soldiers be sent to Iraq pales in comparison to not being able to identify Hezbollah.

Mr. Reyes is no leader. To further win in 2008 requires substance and at this point it is clear the appointment of Mr. Reyes to chair the House Intelligence Committee is a disaster.

I was the director of economic development for the City of El Paso and I have already made contact with old friends to find someone to replace Reyes.