PROTECT ARIZONA NOW with I-03-2004 A citizens' initiative to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, photo ID to vote, and proof of eligibility for non-federally mandated public benefits

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News Release, August 4, 2004     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kathy McKee August 6, 2004 NEWS RELEASE   PAN OVER THE TOP!   The 5% random sample from the 10 counties that have supplied PAN with their figures projects more than 127,000 valid signatures. Coupled with the 15,000-18,000 more signatures expected momentarily from unreported hotbeds of PAN support, Cochise and Pima Counties, an excess of 140,000 validated signatures will far surpass the 105% needed (128,743) to achieve ballot status for PAN's Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. Secretary of State Jan Brewer will announce PAN's ballot status and the official total of valid signatures when all counties have reported in, which she must statutorily do by August 10. PAN's initiative will appear on the November ballot as Proposition 200.   The Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act requires (1) proof of citizenship when registering to vote, (2) photo I.D. when voting, and (3) proof of eligibility to collect welfare in Arizona. This Act mandates State and local officials to enforce existing laws, a strong message that "would not be necessary," states PAN founder and Chairman Kathy McKee, "if lawmakers, bureaucrats, and state and local employees honestly believed and acted as though they are being paid to serve the people of Arizona, instead of the other way round. It's incredible that we citizens have had to up-end our lives this past year just to try to get our laws enforced. I can't say it enough – every level of government needs to hang their heads in shame."   A recent ASU-KAET poll conducted by Dr. Bruce Merrill showed that 74% of likely voters support the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, up from 70% approximately nine months ago, while only 16% oppose it and 10% are undecided. Nevertheless, both sides of the issue are expected to work intensely on public education, registering voters, and then getting out the vote November 2.   McKee stresses not only PAN's importance in Arizona, but also that "We are being closely watched by the entire nation. This is the only proposition of its type on any state ballot this year. We have an historic opportunity here to exercise sovereignty in the state of Arizona and show intelligence, character, and leadership that could change the whole direction taken by our nation. This message – that citizens will get their laws enforced and that elected and political party officials to be responsive to their constitutents – will go beyond Arizona throughout the entire country."   "National polls indeed show overwhelming public support for ending illegal immigration, a sentiment that crosses all economic and ethnic groups. Illegal immigration harms native-born Americans, naturalized citizens, and legal immigrants alike. Wages are driven down and benefits eliminated by the exploding workforce; public services including schools and healthcare are overwhelmed; and taxes inevitably rise while citizens' quality of life does not," notes Dr. Virginia Abernethy, Chairman of PAN's National Advisory Committee.   Continues Abernethy, "Self-appointed leaders of 'open borders' advocacy groups try to turn the immigration discussion into a racial issue but, for at least our side, it is not. Its aspect as an economic issue affects all working people." For example, on a panel with an immigration lawyer and a Guatemalan immigrant, Abernethy and the Guatemalan, a worker in a Dalton, Georgia carpet factory, found themselves on the same side of the debate. Neither saw allowing illegal immigration as contributing to a good future. What, wondered the carpet mill worker, would his own children do for jobs if they have to compete with illegal aliens?   Concludes McKee, "PAN has been called the Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight. We have been vehemently opposed by the Governor of this State, Mayor of Phoenix, 'our' entire congressional delegation, arrogant pseudo-leaders from both major political parties, purported church and union leaders, every daily newspaper in this state (and most other media outlets), the chambers of commerce, construction and education lobbies, and the entire pro-illegal alien forces including immigration lawyers and Hispanic groups. Yet, the citizens of Arizona have risen to the occasion, stood tall, held our ground, and prevailed against seeming insurmountable odds. Looks to me like we shot pretty straight. We're going to stay on the high road, stick with the facts, have faith the vast majority of Arizonans will see through the lies of negative ads, and Protect Arizona NOW with Proposition 200 in November!"     Join Protect Arizona Now today!

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