Fence by Date Certain Gains Momentum!

H.R. 4987, the Fence by Date Certain Act, is taking off!

We are now up to 20 sponsors. Here's the honor roll:

Walter Jones (R-NC), Howard Coble (R-NC), Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Peter King (R-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) , Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Dan Burton (R-IN), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Virgil Goode (R-VA), Sam Graves (R-MO), Ed Royce (R-CA), Bill Sali (R-ID), Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

And more soon!

The Republican Presidential Candidates on Border Security--A Fence by Date Certain

I was pleased to see that the Fox News "Ticker"--you know, the little news squibs that travel along the bottom of the screen--featured an extensive treatment of the Fence By Date Certain Border Security Pledge: Specifically, the news that Cong. Walter Jones (R-NC) was the first Member of Congress to sign it.

But in addition, at the Republican Presidential debate at St. Anselm's College in New Hampshire, some of the hopefuls weighed in on the topic. Rudy Giuliani, of course, is still talking about a "virtual fence." And John McCain was still defending "guest workers." And the immigration plan of Ron Paul, of course, is to abolish the welfare state.

On the other hand, Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney both seemed solid on immigration and related concerns.

But the best answer came from Mike Huckabee, who used powerful historical analogies to remind us how easy, in a relative sense, it would be to build a wall, as the archstone of an overall border security/sovereignty vision:

The fact is Americans are upset about this issue because they feel like that we've violated the rule of law. Every one of us, I think, agree that you have to secure the border, and until that's done, nothing makes sense. That ought to be done. It ought to be done with American workers, with American products, and it ought to be done immediately. Eighteen months ought to be the outside length of time. If the Empire State Building can be built in 14 months, if some of the great works of this country can be built in a record period of time, I'm convinced we can secure our borders. And I agree with Senator Thompson; it's an issue of national security more than it is anything else. But it's a matter of sealing the borders of our nation in a responsible way.

I think we ought to have a period of time in which people then return to their home country and get in the back of the line. Now, the reason I've come to that conclusion is for a variety of focus, but here's part of it. When people live in the United States, they ought to have their head up. They ought not to live in fear. Every time they see a police car, they shouldn't run and hide. Nobody ought to live like that in this country. And the only way we're going to fix that is that people do it right. And in order to do it right, they're going to have to go back and get in the back of the line. It's not an inhumane way. I think it's the only way that makes sense.

And I want make one final point that I think ought to happen. When we say, well, we can't round these people up and take them home -- we don't have to, Charlie. You give them the option. If you don't do it the right way and then we catch you, you would be subject to deportation. But if you do it the right way, then you're going be able to live with your head up and live free in this country properly.

And it won't be that we have this huge problem and the resentment that goes with it.

And the final reason that's important -- I know you're wanting me to finish and I'm doing it -- the reason that we've got to do that is that when people say we can't get them -- we don't have to for this simple principle: The government didn't escort them over the border in the first place, so the government doesn't have to take them back. They got here on their own, and people can go back and start the process legally for their benefit and for everyone else's benefit.

“It’s that simple: Either you want to build a fence to protect our homeland security...

...and our national sovereignty--or you don't. Sign the Fence By Date Certain Pledge, nor not. Soon, all Americans will know the truth about you."

Below is the text of an FBDC press release, embargoed for release on January 4:

CONGRESSMAN WALTER JONES IS FIRST TO SIGN "FENCE BY DATE CERTAIN" PLEDGE

Washington DC – Cong. Walter Jones (R-NC), became the first Member of Congress to sign the “Fence By Date Certain” Pledge.

The Fence By Date Certain Pledge can be summed up simply—in 32 words, to be exact: “I pledge to vote for, fully fund, and speedily expedite the construction of a secure double fence across the entire US-Mexican border within six months after the convening of the next Congress.”

In signing the Pledge, Jones said, “I am proud to sign the Fence By Date Certain Pledge, because it reflects what I have believed for a very long time: Americans must unite to solve this urgent national concern—our under-defended border with Mexico—as part of our overall commitment to enhanced homeland security. I yield to no one in my admiration for the excellent job that our Border Patrol has been doing, under difficult circumstances and with inadequate support from Washington DC. So the time is past due to send in reinforcements—big reinforcements. We need more resources for the protection of our security and sovereignty. And the centerpiece of that strategy is a foolproof barrier on the border, so that everyone, and everything, that enters into the USA arrives here as part of a transparent legal process of scrutiny and safety. And so I urge all my colleagues in Congress to consider signing the Fence By Date Certain Pledge.”

Gratefully receiving Jones’ Pledge was James P. Pinkerton, acting chairman of Fence By Date Certain. “Walter Jones is a courageous man. As a longstanding opponent of any form of amnesty, and of any and all attempts to diminish America’s hard-won sovereignty, the Congressman continues to demonstrate that there is nothing ‘virtual’ about his rock-solid commitment to safeguarding America. At a time when many politicians—including presidential candidates in both parties—are refusing to acknowledge the gravity of immigration and security issues, and at a time when others seem determined to cloud those issues, Cong. Jones is stepping up and showing his true bold colors: Red, White, and Blue.”

Pinkerton continued, “I hope that all Members of Congress, as well as this President and the next President, will sign the Fence By Date Certain Pledge. The polls show that the American people want to be secure in their own homes and homeland. So soon enough, millions of activists across the country will want to know which of their ‘leaders’ failed to show true leadership on this critical concern.”

Founded in 2007, Fence By Date Certain is a non-partisan, non-profit group of Americans, dedicated to one clear-cut goal: To persuade the U.S. government to build a secure double fence across the length and breadth of the US-Mexico border. Fence By Date Certain wants federal politicians to pledge to accomplish this goal six months after the convening of the 111th Congress. As Pinkerton noted, “We must be secure and sovereign in our own homeland. Fences and walls have always been part of successful national strategies for survival. Today, fences are working or other nations, including Israel—they will work for America.”

“And oh yes,” Pinkerton concluded, “the fence should be built by American workers, using American materials!”

Contact: Jim Pinkerton, 202-352-5721, or fencebydatecertain@gmail.com.

Congressman Walter Jones, Defending America.

Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC) has signed the Fence by Date Certain Pledge. He is the first Member of Congress to sign the Pledge.

The Pledge, of course, can be summed up simply--in 32 words, to be exact. Here are those 32 words:

I pledge to vote for, fully fund, and speedily expedite the construction of a secure double fence across the entire US-Mexican border within six months after the convening of the next Congress.

It's that simple, that profound, that powerful. Either America will be protected, or American will not be protected. Either politicians sign it--or they don't. Either way, the truth about each and every one of our leaders will be revealed, soon enough.

So no more fiddle-faddle about a "virtual fence," or some other kind of dodge.

As Cong. Jones told me, "I signed this Pledge because it reflects what I have believed for a long time, and what I have fought for in Congress--a secure border, protecting America's freedom and sovereignty."

Cong. Jones continued: "There is a growing crisis on our border. The old complacency, and the old approaches are no longer working. What's needed is a bold stroke of leadership to safeguard our nation's frontiers. In this new century, filled as it with new and terrible threats, American patriots must resolve once again to defend their country."

Cong. Jones added, "We don't fear the world. We don't fear foreigners. But since 9-11 Americans have woken to the reality that around the world, evil people really intend to do us harm. And we must stop them" But, Cong. Jones observed, many politicians in Washington have shied away from actually doing anything about the border and border security.

Cong. Jones, of course, has distinguished himself through his unstinting activism on behalf of many border-security issues. He has called for an immediate review of the unjust prison sentences handed down to Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, and he is probably the strongest opponent of ill-inspected Mexican trucks pouring across our border as part of the NAFTA agreement. For those actions, Cong. Jones had already earned the admiration of millions of Americans.

And now, in signing the Fence By Date Certain Pledge, he has shown still more leadership and vision. He is one of those rare leaders who is willing to walk the point on tough issues. because, as always, he stands up for North Carolina constituents.

For his bravery, and for his unswerving commitment to protecting America, all of us who advocate a Fence By Date Certain salute Walter Jones.

We honor him as what he is: American Hero.