Ryun starts re-election bid talking immigration issues

[chat_noir]

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun on Friday said curtailing illegal immigration and protecting U.S. borders were the top issues in his district as he began his bid for a sixth term.

“I still have things I would like to do,” said Ryun, a Republican from Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District. “I don’t feel my work is complete.”

Ryun, 58, has no primary opponent but will face Topeka Democrat Nancy Boyda in a rematch of the 2004 campaign. Both spent about $1 million in that campaign.

Boyda, 50, is a former teacher and research manager for several pharmaceutical companies.

Ryun said protecting the borders was important to the security of the nation and state and must be addressed. He favors the approach advanced by the House in December that would strengthen enforcement of immigration policy, including construction of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/14730080.htm

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Oh his work is complete alright

Not much would give me more pleasure than to see Ryun go down in November.

[hfojvt]

2. but..but....but

there are more wars he wants to start or cheer. Oct 8, 2002

" Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his kind
comments.
Madam Speaker, a vote to place the men and women of our Armed Forces
in the harm's way is one of the most crucial decisive votes I will ever
have to make. Having fully considered the matter, I am convinced that
Saddam's continued possession of weapons of mass destruction poses a
significant threat to the United States. If he continues to refuse to
comply with the demands to disarm, the use of force will be justified.
Information provided by the Central Intelligence Agency and the
Defense Intelligence Agency and testimony received by the House
Committee on Armed Services clearly establishes that Saddam Hussein
currently possesses chemical and biological weapons and is actively
pursuing nuclear weapons. Saddam has already demonstrated his belief
that the use of weapons of mass destruction against both his own
citizens and his enemies is a legitimate means to preserve his power
and achieve his goals. Saddam's capabilities and willingness to use
weapons of mass destruction pose a threat to the security of the United
States.
This threat to our national security is imminent. The attacks of
September 11, 2001, demonstrate that our enemies have embraced
nontraditional warfare. They will not operate under traditional notions
of warfare and will not confine their methods to conventional combat.
Saddam's options for employing chemical, biological, and radiological
weapons against the United States and our Armed Forces are not limited
to bombers and missiles and artillery shells. In fact, Saddam's most
effective uses of weapons of mass destruction could come through
surrogates that obtain these weapons by Iraq.
I know some urge reliance on additional inspections and sanctions.
While I applaud the President's proposal for a new U.N. Security
Council resolution and hope that U.N. member nations will follow the
United States' lead in confronting this threat, we must remember that,
after more than a decade, U.N. actions to this date have simply not
worked. I am convinced that an inspection regime dependent upon
Saddam's compliance will not result in disarmament.
Since 1991, Saddam has flagrantly violated the conditions of cease-
fire that ended the Gulf War. As a part of the cease-fire, Saddam
agreed unconditionally to give up his weapons of mass destruction.
However, Saddam has retained possession of chemical and biological
weapons produced before the Gulf War and has restored his ability to
produce these weapons.
Additionally, Saddam is vigorously pursuing a nuclear weapons
program. It appears that if Saddam were able to acquire fissile
material, he would be able to as quickly assemble nuclear weapons in a
manner of months, not years.
On September 16, 2002, Saddam promised the United Nations
unrestricted access for weapons inspection in Iraq, but the U.N.
agreement announced on October 1 does not provide such access. Saddam's
presidential palaces, which are comprised of vast tracts of land and
hundreds of buildings, are not open to inspection without prior notice.
Under this program, Saddam will show the inspectors and the world empty
buildings, while covertly continuing his weapons programs. One of his
former weapons developers has testified that this was Saddam's regular
practice while the U.N. inspectors were taking their action in other
places.

{time} 2045

Faced with these facts, I am convinced that Congress must give the
President the authority and the flexibility he needs to confront this
threat. The authorization of use of force against Iraq in this
resolution does just that. While we hope the diplomatic efforts will be
successful, we must be prepared to act if they are not. Certainly
military action against Iraq, if it becomes necessary, will involve
risk. However, the risk posed by delaying action are even greater. I
urge my colleagues to support this resolution."