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Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Sun Archives
Rene Cantu Jr. is in demand lately. The Nevada State College vice president of multicultural affairs and vice chairman of the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce served on a panel for CNN’s Sept. 24 screening of “Latinos in America” at Springs Preserve. Two weeks ago, he was tapped to serve on a 19-member committee to lay out Nevada’s future. Cantu is also on a committee that recommends how Clark County should spend millions in federal dollars.
Are you being put on these committees and panels because they want a Latino on them?
I’m often the only one, or one of two or three. And while I’m not asking for quotas, the fact is, everybody at the table has their interests, and there ought to be more Latinos.
Does that give you a sense of obligation?
Whether I’m the token Latino or not, I have a responsibility and I’ve been tasked with the opportunity to represent a position that isn’t being represented enough.
How will that play out in the committee to chart a road map for Nevada’s future?
Our elected officials have abdicated responsibilities with Hispanics. For example, they lost set-aside funding for the 119,000 Clark County School District students for whom English is a second language. This is because some voices tend to equate English-language learners with “illegal aliens.” But three-fourths of those students are U.S. citizens and when we deny them education, we are only hurting ourselves.
What else should be done regarding education?
We need more programs starting in middle school like Project Crossroads, which uses motivation and mentors to keep students from dropping out of high school. We need more curriculum links between the K-12 system and higher education. Too many people get to college and need remedial help.
How can Nevada climb out of the recession?
We need to diversify the economy, with green jobs, for example. Education is needed for that. We are an ideal location for wind power, solar power. That needs to really be taken seriously.
What role do Southern Nevada’s tens of thousands of jobless construction workers, many of whom are illegal immigrants, play in that?
I’m from Laredo, Texas, and the fact is when we have needed workers, the borders were open. I’m for comprehensive immigration reform. People talk about getting in the back of the line for immigration, but for most of these people, there is no line.
Cantu, one major thing you can do for the legal citizens in Clark County, it would even help the Latino citizens, call ICE and have them round up all the illegal aliens that have been breaking federal laws here.
I have to agree with Mr.Cantu on the illegals who are supposed to be getting in the back of the line for immigration but to them there is no line. To them there are no immigration laws either.
I guess we can't blame them for the lawlessness that is allowed in not correcting this problem. They are just walking into the room through an unprotected door.
I would hope his efforts and energies will be monitored to insure the county, that the millions of dollars to be spent will be spent on legal citizens. We don't want him to be like Harry Reid who pushed and made it possible for illegals to get unemployment checks.
Cantu couldn't have been more honest, "I'm often the only one, or one of two or three." I worked with Mr. Cantu at the Community College of Southern Nevada. He didn't work for us Latinos, only for himself, when he was at work. That is why he thinks he is the only one. We busted our butts and he just kicked us in the ass. I say no to this token talking for me.
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT THROUGH ATTRITION! THIS SOVEREIGN NATION DISPARATELY NEEDS MANDATORY E-VERIFY! IT MUST BE COMPULSORY, NOT TEMPORARY OR AT THE EMPLOYERS DISCRETION? IT MUST BE FOR EVERYBODY WHO WORKS? In time unable to find a job, illegal workers in large and small business will leave. Criminal penalties for--NOT--installing E-Verify must be extremely severe for incorrigible companies who think they are above the law. ONLY CITIZENS AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS NEED APPLY!
TODAY! GET--YOUR--POSTCARD WRITTEN OR PHONE WASHINGTON. TELL FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS TO DO THE SAME? ANOTHER AMNESTY WILL DECIMATE CITIZENS AND LEGAL LOW INCOME WORKERS. THOUSANDS LEGITIMIZED IN AGRICULTURE WILL VACATE THEIR JOBS AND HEAD FOR MAINSTREAM EMPLOYMENT, AS HAPPENED IN 1986. MILLIONS MORE WILL APPEAR ACROSS THE UNDERMANNED BORDER, AND AS SUSPICIOUS TOURIST FROM EVERY POOR COUNTRY.BY JET. WE WILL BE OVERWHELMED ONCE DEMOCRATS PROCLAIM THE IMMINENT COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.
The open border movement has started a relentless campaign for approval of another disastrous AMNESTY, by sending postcards to Washington. Anti-illegal immigration, pro-sovereignty organizations are intending to fight. They state--NO--Comprehensive Immigration Reform. No BLANKET AMNESTY. Patriotic opponents of AMNESTY should call their politician at 202-224-3121, or go to offices in person. GOOGLE---NUMBERSUSA that will illuminate your misgivings on the issue of illegal immigrant costs, Sanctuary State policies, with expenditures on health care, education, prison, along with enforcement gradings of those in Washington. CAPSWEB will explain irreversible population growth in California and nationwide. Other sites of interest on Immigration enforcement is ALIPAC and AMERICAN PATROL and THE DARK SIDE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. OH! YES! DON'T FORGET THE 28 CENTS POSTCARD TO THOSE WHO THINK THEY CONTROL US.