An old saying goes something like “some days you are the statue and other days you are the pigeon.”

On Monday, August 14, I enjoyed being one of the pigeons–with the amnesty-again senate bill, S 2611, being the very deserving statue.

The U.S. House has been holding Field Hearings all over the country to get the public’s ( the American public) input on the Senate bill and I was honored to have been invited to be one of the six witnesses at the hearing that was held here in Gainesville, Georgia.

Like my entire state, Gainesville has become an illegal alien Mecca.

Gainesville is home to chicken processing plants that are allowed to hire many of the illegal border crossers that can easily make it past the brave Border Patrol Agents–who are right now risking their lives to protect the borders–the borders of the nation that George W. Bush says we must protect.

(To the inevitable nonsensical question: YES! If it is necessary, I am willing to pay 50 cents more for a chicken when my nation’s borders are secured and American laws are equally enforced.)

As I sat at the witness table facing four U.S. House Representatives, waiting to give them a short outline of my own observations on the Senate bill, the President’s words from November ran through my mind:

I have a solemn duty, and so do the members of the United States Congress, to protect our nation, our Constitution, and our laws. Our border and immigration security officers devote themselves to those same missions every single day.

A large part of my own contempt for the current President of the United States comes from the fact that he shamelessly defies not only his oath of office, the rule of law that the some of rest of us are governed by, but also will piously outline for us - as if we were not already aware of his duty–exactly what it is that he refuses to do.

Who would you sooner buy a used car from…President “family values don’t stop at the Rio Grande” Bush…or a Border Patrol Agent?

Gainesville is not a big city, and the Hearings created a great deal of attention from the people who live there and here in the Atlanta area, about 70 miles to the south. The court room in the old Federal Courthouse (scroll down) in the center of this picturesque southern town was packed to capacity with about 100 people and I understand that more than 50 others were turned away because of a lack of seating.

On a Monday morning.

The House Education and the Workforce Sub- Committee was Chaired by a personal hero, Georgia U.S. Representative Dr. Charlie Norwood, with Georgia Congressmen Nathan Deal, Dr. Tom Price ( my own Congressman and friend) – Republicans all- and a Democratic Congresswoman from Minnesota, Betty McCollum, representing the minority.

Let’s just say that Ms. McCollumn would never get elected in Gainesville and leave it at that.

The hearing’s focus was on the effects of illegal immigration and the Senate bill on the American work force.

The level of contempt I hold for Bush is considerably out-weighed by my admiration for the three Georgia Congressmen who should be thanked for their courage in their active pro-American opposition to the senate’s nonsense.

Thank you, Congressmen.

Here is part of Mary Lou Pickel’s report from Tuesday:

House Republicans bring illegals debate to Georgia
Mary Lou Pickel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 15, 2006

At the federal courthouse here, not far from poultry plants filled with Latino workers, Georgia Republican congressmen on Monday sought evidence on the many ways the nation’s immigration system is broken.

The Republicans came to an area that long has attracted immigrants — illegal and legal — to work in its vast poultry and construction industries. Latinos have been attracted to jobs in Gainesville and Hall County for decades and now represent about a quarter of the county’s population.

Although the 100 or so people in the audience at the U.S. District Courthouse weren’t allowed to address a panel of the House Commerce Committee, they made their feelings clear with warm applause when members of Congress and witnesses expressed frustration at Washington’s inability to close the nation’s borders. The U.S. House and Senate are stalemated over immigration reform.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) received an ovation when he assailed the Senate’s immigration bill — which allows for a guest worker program and a path to citizenship — as the worst he has seen in 12 years of Congress.

“And you can rest assured it will not become law,” said Norwood, of Augusta.

While I sat in front of several TV cameras and uncountable reporters trying – unsuccessfully - to contain my grin, that last quote from Charlie Norwood resulted in wild cheers and applause from the audience behind me before the Chairman gaveled them to order.

Pickel correctly noted that I am less than ambiguous on the issue with this:

D.A. King, a Cobb County activist who lobbied the Georgia Legislature for tougher immigration laws, displayed little ambiguity.

“American taxpayers should not be required to subsidize low-wage labor,” King told the subcommittee.

“Sadly, I am personally acquainted with Americans who have lost their family businesses because they refused to violate immigration and labor laws and could not compete with others in their trade who lacked the integrity to make similar decisions.”

Before taking questions from the Sub-Committee , we six witnesses were allowed about five minutes to give an oral presentation and submitted our written testimony to the sub-Committee - and provided copies of our written testimony to the press, which was everywhere, including many from the local Spanish language newspapers.

Thanks to Atlanta Latino, which did a pretty good job of writing up the event–from an illegal alien point of view–for the photos. (Don’t miss the “photo gallery”–English tab top right) You can see another example of media coverage here.

A list of witnesses can be seen here, from a press release from Congressman Norwood’s office.

Because I applied for a picketing permit and amid cheers, whistles and such shouts of agreement as “keep it up!” and “THANK YOU!” from passers by, we had about 25 Americans outside the courthouse with banners and signs (photos here) promoting the radical and extreme concept of secure borders and no more amnesty, which apparently created some concern from law-enforcement.

It was a busy week.

From here in Marietta, thanks to the local police and the DHS agents who were present to make the day safe for all concerned.

Now, if we can only get your bosses to enforce all of the laws…

Let me say this: Because I could not only participate, but also watch my fellow Georgians make clear the majority of American’s opinion of the Senate bill…the entire day was about as much fun as I have had with my clothes on in a very long time.

The hearings demonstrated what the American public who must live with the results of illegal immigration want. Justice in America.

I am told that there will be a video record (don’t miss a chance to watch Norwood - honest) of the hearing here soon - along with a posting of all of the witnesses written testimony

My written testimony is here. .

As an American who is paying attention and who regards everyday with out another amnesty as a good day, I pray that Congressman Norwood is right.

But… I fully expect another push from Bush/McCain/Kennedy before November.

I don’t think they give a hoot about what the hearings proved.

Update: Here’s the official committee page for August 14, with my testimony.