AG Alberto Gonzales Coming to San Francisco

From the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

Breakfast Forum with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

Date: Friday, July 21, 2006
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Place: Medjool, 2522 Mission Street, between 20th and 21st Streets

The SFHCC is honored to present a rare opportunity to have an intimate discussion with U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales regarding immigration and the President's call for comprehensive immigration reform. This event is limited to the first 100 participants registered.

President Bush has asked Congress to work with him to achieve significant immigration reform that protects the homeland by controlling the borders; serves America's economy by matching a willing worker with a willing employer; promotes compassion for unprotected workers; provides incentives for temporary workers to return to their home countries and families; protects the rights of legal immigrants while not unfairly rewarding those who came here unlawfully or hope to do so. This legislation must also meet the Nation's economic needs and live up to the promise and values of America.

"The desire to achieve this title, this status, of American citizenship is why we are a nation of immigrants - and that is a characterization that we should preserve. Diversity makes our country strong and rich in ways that are difficult to quantify. What is clear is that a nation made up of people who came here for freedom, or who were born to parents or grandparents who sought freedom - is a special land indeed. The diversity this has rendered is important to cherish and to protect," said Honorable Gonzales.

The President's proposal is based on five basic principles:

Protecting the Homeland by Controlling Our Borders: The program should link to efforts to control our border through agreements with countries whose nationals participate in the program. It must support ongoing efforts to enhance homeland security.

Serve America's Economy by Matching a Willing Worker with a Willing Employer: When no American worker is available and willing to take a job, the program should provide a labor supply for American employers. It should do so in a way that is clear, streamlined, and efficient so people can find jobs and employers can find workers in a timely manner.

Promoting Compassion: The program should grant currently working undocumented aliens a temporary worker status to prevent exploitation. Participants would be issued a temporary worker card that will allow them to travel back and forth between their home and the U.S. without fear of being denied re-entry into America.

Providing Incentives for Return to Home Country: The program will require the return of temporary workers to their home country after their period of work has concluded. The legal status granted by this program would last three years, be renewable, and would have an end. During the temporary work period, it should allow movement across the U.S. borders so the worker can maintain roots in their home country.

Protecting the Rights of Legal Immigrants: The program should not connect participation to a green card or citizenship. However, it should not preclude a participant from obtaining green card status through the existing process. It should not permit undocumented workers to gain an advantage over those who have followed the rules.
Agenda:

· 7:30a Registration/ Continental Breakfast

· 8:00a Opening Remarks - Richard Ventura, SFHCC Executive Director

· 8:10a Keynote - U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

· 8:40a Roundtable discussion

· 9:25a Closing Remarks - Richard Ventura

· 9:30a Media interviews (The forum will be closed to TV and Radio media until 10a to ensure an open and candid discussion with the community. Interviews will be opened at 930a with all media)

You can download Fact Sheet for the Fair and Secure Immigration Reform at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20040107-1.html and get more information about the President's immigration activities at http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/immigration/.

Fees:
Members of SFHCC & Partnering Organizations $35
Non Members $45.00

Registration:
For registration, see https://sfhcccalendar.chamberbusinesssuite.com/EventDetail.aspx?key=435 or call 415-278-9611 with any questions.


Partnering Organizations:

Arriba Juntos
Asian Business Association, Inc.
Asian Inc.
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Chicana Latina Foundation
Chinese Chamber of San Francisco
Council of Asian American Business Associations - California (CAABA)
Hispanic-Net
La Raza Lawyers
Latino Business Professionals
Latino Community Foundation
Latino Film Festival
Latino Issues Forum
Mexican American Political Association
Mission Language and Vocational School
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
National Association of Women Business Owners
National Latino Peace Officers Association
National Society of Hispanic MBA's
Northern California Supplier Development Council
Northern California The Council of Asian American Business
Associations of CA
Filipino American Chamber of Commerce
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
San Francisco Small Business Commission
Small Business Development Center
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The Mexican Museum
Women's Initiative for Self EmploymentBolivian American Chamber of Commerce
Camara de Comercio de Marin
Camara de Comercio Salvadorena Americana
Greater San Jose Chamber of Commerce
Guatemalan American Chamber of Commerce
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Alameda County
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Contra Costa County
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley
Marin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Monterey County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Napa Valley Latino Business Association
Nicaraguan American Chamber of Commerce
San Mateo County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

SFHCC - 703 Market Street, Suite 611 - San Francisco, CA 94103 - (415) 278-9611 - http://www.sfhcc.com