Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce fights anti-illegal immigration bills

On Mar 15, 2011 the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce delivered the following letter to Senate President Russell Pearce in an endeavor to derail the passage of a group of immigration bills in the Arizona State Senate.

Dear President Pearce,

“Thank you for your willingness to serve Arizona as a Member of the Arizona State Senate. We, like you, are concerned about the challenges facing our State, particularly the need to address our structural deficit and insure an economic environment that attracts and retains high quality jobs.

“While we recognize the desire for states like Arizona to fill the leadership vacuum left by federal inaction on immigration, we strongly believe it is unwise for the Legislature to pass any additional immigration legislation, including any measures leaving the determination of citizenship to the state.

“We agree with you that our borders must be protected first, and now. We also believe that market-driven immigration policies can and should be developed by the federal government that will sustain America’s status as a magnet for the world’s most talented and hard-working people and preserve our ability to compete in the global economy.

“If the Legislature believes it is worthwhile to debate the question of citizenship, we believe that debate is best held in the U.S. Congress. Already, Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana and Rand Paul of Kentucky have introduced legislation aimed at amending the 14th Amendment to deny ‘birthright citizenship’ to those born to individuals living in the U.S. illegally. Iowa Rep. Steve King has introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House.

“Arizona’s lawmakers and citizens are right to be concerned about illegal immigration. But we must acknowledge that when Arizona goes it alone on this issue, unintended consequences inevitably occur. Last year, boycotts were called against our state’s business community, adversely impacting our already-struggling economy and costing us jobs. Arizona-based businesses saw contracts cancelled or were turned away from bidding. “Sales outside of the state declined. Even a business which merely had ‘Arizona’ in its name felt the effects of the boycotts, compelling them to launch an educational campaign about their company’s roots in Brooklyn. It is an undeniable fact that each of our companies and our employees were impacted by the boycotts and the coincident negative image.

“Tourism, one of our state’s largest industries and employment centers, also suffered from negative perceptions after the passage of SB 1070. The fact Gov. Brewer directed $250,000 to repairing Arizona’s reputation strongly suggests these efforts – whether fair or unfair – are harmful to our image.

“Let us be clear: Our dissension with legislative action on the state level does not translate to our being ‘pro-illegal immigration.’ To the contrary, we believe Congress must address border security, identity theft, sound and implementable employment verification systems and policies and the creation of a meaningful guest worker program. Therefore, we urge the Legislature to redirect its energy by joining us in pressing the federal government for meaningful immigration reform. Together, we can get results.

Respectfully:

This letter was signed by the following Chamber of Commerce members:

A.T. Still University Craig Phelps, Provost
Adreima Constance Perez, Chief Executive Officer
Arizona Hotel & Lodging Assoc Debbie Johnson, President/CEO
Arizona Lodging & Resort Assoc Alan Klein, Board Chair, So.
Arizona Republic John Zidich, CEO/Publisher
Atrium Holding Company Ronald Brown, President
Banner Health Peter Fine, President/CEO
Blood Systems Daniel Connor, President/CEO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ Marty Laurel, Vice President
Campus Research Corporation Donald Pitt, President
Carondelet Foundation Janice Cox, Retired CEO
Community Tire & Auto Repair Howard Fleischmann, Owner
Cox Communications Stephen Rizley, Sr. Vice President/General Mgr.
DMB Associates, Inc. Drew Brown, Managing Director
DHR International David Bruno, Vice Chairman, Managing Director
Denise Resnik & Associates Denise Resnik, President
Ernst & Young Ronald Butler, Arizona Managing Partner
Empire Southwest LLC Jeff Whiteman, President/CEO
ExhibitOne Corporation Kevin Sandler, President/CEO
Flagstaff Forty J.R. Murray, Chairman
Gallagher & Kennedy P.A.Michael Kennedy, President
Geddes and Company F. Michael Geddes, Chairman, President
GenSpring Richard Dozer, Chairman, Family Offices
Greater Phoenix Chamber Steven Wheeler, Chairman
HR Choice Susan Williams, President/Founder
Helios Foundation Vince Roig, Chairman/CEO
Hensley Beverage Company Robert Delgado, President/CEO
Holualoa Companies Michael Kasser, President
Horizon Moving Systems, Inc. Bruce Dusenberry, President
ILX Resorts, Inc. Nancy Stone, President
Intel Corporation Shelly Esque, Vice President, Legal/Corp Affairs
Jim Click Automotive Jim Click, Jr., President
Kitchell Corporation William Schubert, Chairman
Loews Ventana Canyon Brian Johnson, Managing Director
Nestle-Purina, Flagstaff Bill Calloway, Plant Manager
Off Madison Avenue David Anderson, President
PetSmart Philip Francis, Executive Chairman, Chairman, GPL
Quarles & Brady LLP Jon Pettibone, Managing Partner
Research Corp for Science Adv.James Gentile, President/CEO
SALC Bruce Beach, CEO, BeachFleischman PC, Chairman
St. Joseph’s Hospital Linda Hunt, Area President, President/CEO
Scottsdale Healthcare Thomas Sadvary, President/CEO
Sunbelt Holdings John Graham, President
Sundt Construction, Inc.J. Doug Pruitt, Chairman/CEO
TMC Healthcare Michael Duran, Vice President, Chief Dev. Off
Team BeachFleishman PC David Cohen, Executive Vice President
The Chanen Corporation Herman Chanen, Chairman/CEO
The Leona Group William Coats, Chief Executive Officer
The Rodel Foundations Don Budinger, Chairman/Founding Director
U.S. Airways Group W. Douglas Parker, Chairman, President/CEO
Underwood Brothers, Inc.Robert Underwood, Chief Executive Officer
University of Arizona Peter Likins, President Emeritus
Vante Medical Technologies Roger Vogel, Chairman, President/CEO
Vestar Development Company Lee Hanley, Chairman/CEO
Viad Corporation Paul Dykstra, Chairman, President/CEO

While it could be argued that Arizona’s recent attempt to “blaze the path” towards a more fiscal approach to the illegal-immigration problem in the State and, yes, even in the United States will have detractors to the effort, the list above is a clear indication that the entities most unwilling to bear the discomfort of correcting a long-endured lack of legal immigration enforcement are those who either benefit from the status quo or are dependent upon the goodwill of those who support the status quo.

Illegal immigration and the discomfort it causes the middle and lower classes through the increased tax burdens, the disruption to the principles they hold dear such as “God and Country” and English language and a robust education system is to be the “cost” so these entities can prosper.

Perhaps it is time we send these businesses letters of our own in which we indicate our willingness to seek their competitors for the services and products they sell.

What do you think?

Tags: Arizona State Senate, Immigration bills, Russell Pearce