EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN

Most of us remember how our parents and our grandparents always told us how important it was to receive a good education. They told me, “Study hard and you will go far in your career.” It is something that parents all over the world instill in their children. Education is one of the most important factors when it comes to keeping a nation ahead in the global community. Education is the key factor in building our economy. A nation cannot remain great without having an educated population. I do not believe in denying any child an education. But some elected officials obviously don’t agree with me.

In a recent news article in the McAllen Monitor, dated (3-13-11), I read a news report written by Brownsville Herald reporter, Gary Long. The article was about State Representative René Oliveira’s (D-Brownsville) opposition to Texas House Bill 12. It is a bill by state Representative Burt R. Solomons, (R-Carrolton) which essentially prohibits school district employees from following Federal Immigration laws by requiring them to report undocumented students and their families. Failure to comply would result in loss of state funds to the school district.

Representative Oliveira would like to have school districts removed from the scope of House Bill 12. I strongly agree with my good friend, the Honorable Mr. Oliveira, as I also agree with a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on this very issue.

In 1982 the U.S. Supreme Court dealt with the issue of denying state funding to school districts that provide education to undocumented children. The case, Plyler v. Doe originated in Brownsville, Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court found that the Texas law, of 1975, was “directed against children, and imposed its discriminatory burden on the basis of a legal characteristic over which children can have little control”. The U.S. Supreme court found that the children in question were brought into this country by their parents, which was obviously not the fault of the children.

There are many incredible people who were brought to this country as undocumented children who have become shining examples of what a good education brings to every child. Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa is a neurosurgeon currently practicing at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Few people knew that Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa was born in Mexico and was brought to California as an undocumented child. He went from working in the fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley, just 20 years ago, to earning his U.S. citizenship and a Harvard Medical School scholarship where he graduated Cum Laude. He says he is grateful for what this country gave him while growing up and now he says he wants to spend his time giving back by saving lives right here in the United States.

I have spent most of my life supporting the cause of Education. I have reached out to all students, including the poor and the newcomers to this country. These children stand next to your children every day in school and pledge their allegiance to the flag of the United States of America just as your and my children do. It is the only country they know, it is their country too!

Our federal immigration agents are doing an outstanding job on securing our borders. Our ICE agents are fully capable of doing the jobs they are specially trained for. I do not support any laws which require our educators to act as ICE agents. Our teachers spend their lives giving to all children no matter what their nationality, religion or race. They spend all of their years helping their students achieve higher goals. Must we turn our educators into immigration watch dogs? Must we force young children to turn in their parents for deportation? Ask yourself that question and remind yourself of the values on which our great country was created.

As a Texan and as an American, I am opposed to Texas House Bill 12. I recommend that you contact your Texas state representatives in Austin, and let them hear your voice.