FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TBC Adopts Resolution Condemning Hateful Rhetoric
MCALLEN, Texas (Sept. 9, 2016) – The Texas Border Coalition (TBC) today unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the use of hateful rhetoric in the United States, calling on Texas and federal authorities to work to prevent hate crimes; and to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those perpetrators of hate crimes.
“This resolution demonstrates that the border region is united in defending the individual right of every citizen to live without fear and intimidation,” said former Hidalgo County Judge and TBC Chairman J.D. Salinas, III. “Hateful rhetoric only undermines the treasured individual rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution and our highest ideals as a nation.”
The resolution language is as follows:
A Resolution
Condemning hateful rhetoric in the United States.
Whereas, The Texas Border Coalition (TBC) is the collective voice of border mayors, county judges, and economic development organizations along the Texas-Mexico border, representing 2.4 million people in counties from El Paso to Brownsville. TBC works with state and federal government officials to educate, advocate, and improve economic growth, transportation, immigration, border security, education and health care; and,
Whereas the victims of hateful rhetoric have faced physical, verbal, and emotional abuse because of their ethnicity or status; and,
Whereas the U.S. Constitution guarantee of individual rights to equal protection is a cherished American value and hate speech or violence directed towards any United States community contravenes the Nation’s founding principles; and,
Whereas the American community includes many diverse ethnicities, beliefs and cultures, and both immigrants and native-born citizens; and,
Whereas hateful and intolerant acts are contrary to the United States values of acceptance, welcoming, and fellowship with those of all faiths, beliefs, and cultures; and,
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Mayor Robert Garza
City of Del Rio
Mayor Ramsey English Cantu City of Eagle Pass
Mayor Joe “Fito” Salinas City of La Joya
Mayor Jim Darling City of McAllen
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez City of Pharr
Director Fred Brouwen Pharr-Reynosa Intl Bridge
Mayor J J Zamora City of Port Isabel
Mayor Roberto Salinas City of Roma
Ben Petty, Sr. TaxFree Shopping
Judge Aurelio Guerra Willacy County
Judge Joe Rathmell Zapata County
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Carolyn Petty, Alex Meade – Economic Development
Olga Gabriel – Healthcare
Monica Weisberg-Stewart – Immigration & Border Security
Sergio Contreras – Transportation
Blas Castaneda – Workforce Development
Mission:
To make legislative recommendations to help the Texas Border Region grow and prosper economically.
327 Congress Ave., Suite 450, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: 512-744-0044
Whereas the rise of hateful and intolerant speech and violence can encourage extreme and violent actions:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Texas Border Coalition—
(1) Steadfastly confirms its dedication to the rights and dignity of Americans of all ethnicities, faiths, beliefs, and cultures; and,
(2) Denounces all forms of hate speech, intimidation, violence, and other hate crimes; and,
(3) Declares that the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans should be protected and preserved; and,
(4) Urges Texas and Federal authorities to work to prevent hate crimes; and to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those perpetrators of hate crimes; and
(5) Reaffirms the inalienable right of every citizen to live without fear and intimidation in their lives.
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