Congressional candidates outline plans

Published May 6th, 2008 in Burlington County Times
By: Melissa Hayes and David Levinsky

MOUNT HOLLY — Instead of celebrating Cinco de Mayo at a local cantina, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Murray Sabrin stood outside the historic Burlington County Courthouse outlining his five-point plan for immigration reform.

Another congressional candidate, State Sen. John Adler, D-6th of Cherry Hill, also campaigned in Burlington County yesterday as part of his campaign to win the 3rd Congressional District seat now held by Rep. Jim Saxton.

Sabrin, whose family came to the United States legally in 1949,said immigration would not be an issue if everyone followed the rules. Sabrin, who became a citizen in 1959 at age 12, said immigrants should "get on line" and follow procedures just as his family did. He also called for an end to amnesty for illegal immigrants.

"Citizenship should be earned, like our family did in the 1950s and millions of others before and since that did by following the rules," he said.

Sabrin said English should be the official language of the United States.

"The U.S. Constitution was written in English and these powerful words bind our nation together," he said."As someone who immigrated legally to the United States as a boy whose second language was English, my family was proud to assimilate into American culture and learn English."

Sabrin also called for both the north and south borders to be secured from immigrants and terrorists. He said birthright citizenship should end and illegal immigrants who want to live, work and pay taxes in the United States should have to pay a fine and go through thorough background checks in order to stay as legal residents.

Sabrin's Republican running mate Justin Michael Murphy, who is running for the 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by Republican Saxton of Mount Holly, said 16 border guards have been killed at the Mexico border since 2000. He said human trafficking, and drug and weapons trafficking are major problems and it's not just Mexicans who are coming across the border.

"The world knows that border is porous and not properly patrolled," he said.

Elsewhere in Burlington County, Adler, who is also running for Saxton's 3rd Congressional District seat,spoke out on veterans issues such as the need to increase the educational benefits awarded by the government's GI Bill.

"We want to make sure the educational opportunities are there for veterans to help them make a smooth transition to a successful civilian life," Adler said yesterday during a campaign event at the Millcreek Park veterans memorial in Willingboro.

"People who put their lives on the line shouldn't face setbacks." Veterans officials said the current GI Bill was created during World War II and only covers about 50 percent of the average cost of undergraduate tuition, fees and room and board, veterans officials said. Congress is considering legislation that would increase the benefits and Adler also has introduced New Jersey legislation to increase the benefits.

In addition to speaking in favor of a new GI Bill, Adler unveiled his Veterans For Adler advisory committee, which he said would advise him on veterans issues and help his campaign.

Edgar Wolf Jr., a Mount Laurel resident who served in World War II and Korea, said he believed Adler would be a friend to veterans in Congress.

"I think he's the common man's nominee," Wolf said yesterday at the Willingboro event.