July 12, 2002

El Centro, Inc.

The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute and El Centro, Inc. are partnering to conduct nonpartisan, bilingual voter registration and education drives in the Kansas City area. Your candid responses to the questions below will aid us in the development of educational materials and will be translated and distributed to registered voters, new U.S. citizens, and other concerned members of the Latino community as a part of our efforts. We thank you in advance for your answers and will be happy to provide you with a copy of the voter education materials we produce using your information. You may also feel free to send additional campaign materials for our information, but only your answers and general biography will be printed.

  1. What is your position on legalization for nonpermanent residents already living in the United States?

    2. I do not believe that anyone or any group should be granted a special privilege. I do not believe that anyone or any group should be discriminated against. If granting legal permanent residence to the folks mentioned above would be a privilege that others have not received then I am opposed to it.

  2. What is your position on access to in-state tuition for undocumented students who graduate from U.S. high schools?

    3. I'm sure there are some mighty fine reasons why out of State students, or out of country students would be charged higher tuition. I suspect most of the reasons are political or monetary. If a person is admitted to a college or university and uses the same facilities, the same faculty, the same books, and so on as everyone else then I can see no reason why some folks should pay more.

  3. What is your position on laws that would make English the official language of the United States?

    4. I am opposed to such laws.

    However, I believe that a country divided by language can be easily divided on other issues and decline will follow. I will not support using taxpayer money to pay for translations of government documents. People who immigrate to this country should learn English. A common language is necessary for commerce and communication. There is no benefit, for the country or its citizens, when a segment of the society refuses to speak the common language. My concept of America is that it is a country that gives you a chance. I do not visualize it as a country where you have a guarantee of success or are entitled to anything other than a chance. That chance is diminished if you cannot speak the common language. My goal is to see that every American gets the chance.

  4. Any additional Comments to Aid Latino Voters in Making Decisions in your Election:

If you vote in this country's elections it presumes that you are a citizen. If you are a citizen then you are an American. Latino-American or whatever hyphenated is not relevant. I try to treat all Americans the same. I try to treat everyone, as I want to be treated. As I stated above, no special privileges, no discrimination. If you are being discriminated against I will fight for you. But, I will fight just as hard to prevent you from receiving special privileges.

I am on the ballot because no one else was. Senator Roberts was running unopposed, no major party candidate deemed it worthwhile to challenge him. I considered it an insult to him and embarrassing for the State of Kansas, the only U.S. Senator in the country that was running unopposed, what a nice headline.