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“But the simple truth is that we’ve lost control of our own borders, and no nation can do that and survive.” – Ronald Reagan

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ON IMMIGRATION REFORM, I BELIEVE IN THE FOLLOWING CORE PRINCIPLES -

The United States was founded by immigrants seeking a better life.  No one, save descendants of Native Americans, can deny that their ancestors arrived in America from another land. Immigration has added a unique flavor and diversity to America that has made us a better place.  One need only read the names and see the faces of America’s great entrepreneurs, scientists, business leaders, teachers, doctors, and clergy to see that the face of America is the face of the world.

Today, however, the notion of an America that is both welcoming and unified in an American culture is being lost to the progressive notion of identity politics.  It is that idea of immigration that I reject.  I believe new immigrants to America should to required to; learn English, American civics and culture, have a job and be legally permitted to work, and participate in programs that promote assimilation.  While America is better off for the diversity of heritage, culture, and talents that come to our shores, our nation, just like any nation, must have an identity that makes us who we are and most importantly, unifies us.

In addition, I believe that illegal immigration must be stopped. It is both a national security and a rule of law issue.  From border fencing, local prosecution, and e-verify to a working visa system, verifiable guest worker program, and high tech job program, we must control our borders.

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With Those Principles to Guide Me, I Support -

Immigration reform (1) that is:

- Enforcement and security centered
- Dedicated to providing employers the tools for instant status verification – stop making employers police and end employer     excuses for hiring illegals
- Focused on assimilating new Americans through English language training and civics and history understanding
- Opposed to amnesty
- Dedicated to a smooth guest worker program that rewards lawful behavior

To that end, we must:

Enforce and defend the border – Complete the fence and implement a zero tolerance policy for illegal immigration

Enact real Visa reforms – over 50% of the illegal immigrants in the US are visa overstays

Support and Expand the 287(g) program and support local law enforcement enforcing federal immigration law

Deploy a robust E-verify system (2) – with tamper proof ID cards, an online electronic verification system so employers know someone is legal

Have a verifiable guest worker program – Farmers pay $10 – $20 an hour for labor and can’t find it. We need a guest worker program that demands verification, good conduct, and private health care for all labor

Foster natural repatriation of illegals through the use of tamper proof ID cards and E-verify

Empower and fund our local Sheriffs to enforce immigration law

Offer a time period for those illegally in the US to return to their homeland before a “no return” penalty begins

Require employers to use e-verify (3)

Make it a felony for unauthorized aliens to work, punishable by imprisonment and a fine; to falsely claim legal presence in the United States; or to smuggle aliens

Require all legal immigrations to learn English

Make English the official language of the United States

Prohibit sanctuary cities and day-labor sites

Deny unauthorized aliens enrollment in and financial aid (including in-state tuition) for state-licensed higher education institutions

Ban the use of foreign identification documents to establish identity or to obtain state identification cards unless accompanied by a U.S. document that demonstrates legal presence in the United States

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1. http://bit.ly/9X2Iwn

2. http://bit.ly/awRLrC

3. http://bit.ly/djGYhd

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Ross Posts Best Fundraising Quarter of the Campaign & Announces National, Pro-life, Agriculture, & Veterans Endorsements

Ross Campaign Continues to Show Overwhelming Local and Grassroots Support

Lakeland, FL – The Dennis Ross for Congress campaign today made several announcements as we move into the 3rd quarter of 2010.

Dennis Ross raised $170,000 in the 2nd Quarter of 2010 – over $100,000 more than the closest competitor, Democrat, Lori Edwards.

• Dennis Ross announces the endorsement of Governor Mike Huckabee
• Dennis Ross announces the endorsement of Florida Right-to-Life
• Dennis Ross announces the endorsement of the Polk County Farm Bureau
• Dennis Ross announces the endorsement of the Veterans’ Vision

FUNDRAISING

The Dennis Ross for Congress campaign today announced that the 2nd quarter of 2010 was the best fundraising quarter yet for the campaign.  From May through June, the Ross campaign collected nearly $170,000 in contributions, over $100,000 more than any opposing candidate.  In addition to a record setting quarter, the campaign also increased the number of donations from in District 12 to almost 1,500 individuals.

GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE

In June, Former Arkansas Governor, and Presidential Candidate, Mike Huckabee, endorsed Dennis Ross for Congress.  In doing so, Governor Huckabee said,

“Huck PAC and I are pleased to endorse Dennis Ross for Congress. Serving in the state house for eight years, Dennis has the right kind of experience to go to Washington and make a difference. We know that when elected, Dennis’ first vote in Congress will be for a new speaker of the house – so Nancy Pelosi cannot push an unpopular radical liberal agenda on the American people.  Dennis is a strong advocate of true conservative principles: limited government, lower taxes and traditional family values. He is well respected by his peers and will make a great Congressman that the Republican Party, the 12th District and all of Florida can be proud to call their own.  Please join me in supporting Dennis Ross for Congress – let’s send this strong conservative to Congress.”

FLORIDA RIGHT-TO-LIFE

On top of Governor Huckabee’s support, Dennis Ross further solidified his position as the pro-life candidate by earning the endorsement of Florida Right-to-Life.  Florida Right-to-Life has been the voice of the pro-life movement in Florida since 1971.  Dennis Ross remains committed to the cause of the unborn and is honored to be endorsed by those who dedicate their lives to defending them.

POLK COUNTY FARM BUREAU

Understanding the needs and issues of Florida’s farmers and growers is vital to the economic livelihood of District 12.  For that reason, the Ross campaign is especially honored to announce the endorsement of the Polk County Farm Bureau.  In endorsing their slate of candidates, including Dennis Ross in the District 12 congressional race, Polk County Farm Bureau President, Larry Black said,

“These individuals exemplify the qualities we look for in an elected representative, namely integrity, fairness and a true understanding of the issues affecting agriculture. Because Farm Bureau’s core membership are the farmers, growers and ranchers of Polk County, the board of directors select candidates who best represent their interests.  We applaud these candidates and encourage Farm Bureau members to support these candidates in their elections August 24th and November 2nd.”

VETERANS’ VISION

Understanding that District 12 is the home to many Armed Forces Veterans, the Dennis Ross campaign is honored to announce the endorsement of The Veterans’ Vision.  In announcing their endorsement, The Veterans’ Vision leadership said,

“’Many people in Washington talk about veterans, but do very little.  Dennis Ross has an amazingly detailed plan for veterans and he has a track record that proves he can back it up.  He understands what military families and veterans are going through right now, and he wants to fix it,’ said Maj. Brian Hampton, Publisher of the VETERANS’ VISION, making it clear which candidate veterans can trust.”

Upon receiving the endorsement, Dennis Ross said,

“As the brother and son of Vietnam and World War II combat veterans, the issues and concerns facing returning service members and past veterans is deeply personal. To be endorsed by those who have dedicated their lives to our men and women in uniform is truly humbling and only strengthens my resolve to ensure their service and sacrifice is honored by their government.  With ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and veterans of past wars continuing to experience trauma and poor access to care, it is even more vital that the federal government leave no stone unturned in addressing the needs of America’s heroes.  I am committed to breaking down whatever regulatory, legal, or bureaucratic obstacle stands between our veterans and the care they deserve.  That includes demanding accountability and change at the VA, putting veterans funding as a priority ahead of wasteful earmarks and bailouts, and ensuring that those willing to give so much never receive too little.  I am honored by the endorsement of Veterans Vision and look forward to serving America’s heroes in Congress.”

Dennis Ross was born October 18, 1959 in Lakeland, Florida.  He was the youngest of five children born to Bill and Loyola Ross who moved to their Polk County home in 1955.  Dennis is married to his wife Cindy, and they have two sons, Shane and Travis.  They are members of First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, Florida.

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Read the story at TheLedger.com here.

Lakeland World War II Veteran Now Confronts Parkinson’s Disease

By Bill Rufty
THE LEDGER

Published: Monday, June 28, 2010 at 10:26 p.m.
Bill Ross was a 21-year-old sailor when the USS McCawley sank June 30, 1943.

His battle that day was to salvage the crippled vessel after it was struck by a Japanese aerial torpedo.

At age 88, his battle today is with Parkinson’s disease.

But with the help of his family, Ross left Sunday for Pensacola to the annual reunion of those sailors.

Three of his four sons, Bill, Chuck and Dennis, drove with him in Dennis’ RV. His son, Larry, is working in China and his daughter, Therese Ross Arrington, joined them in Pensacola.

The reunion is held every June 30.

“We think there are 16 sailors left from the McCawley (out of a wartime contingent of approximately 340), but only five, including Dad, are able to make it to the reunion. It looks like this could be the last one,” Chuck Ross said.

William A. Ross Jr. joined the U.S. Navy in January 1941 in Cleveland, and was sent to Chicago after basic training to be a signalman.

“I was always interested in ships,” he said.

So was his father. Bill Ross Sr. had been in the Navy during World War I.

FROM PASSENGERS TO MARINES

Ross was assigned to the USS McCawley after graduating from signal school. It had been a passenger ship, the SS Santa Barbara, before it was purchased by the Navy from Grace Shipping Lines in 1940 to be a troop transport. It was renamed after Col. Charles G. McCawley, commandant of the Marine Corps from 1876 until 1891.

After it was fitted with a 5-inch gun, four 3-inch guns, two twin 40-millimeter anti-aircraft gun mounts and 18 single 20 mm anti-aircraft guns, it was reclassified an attack transport (APA-4).

The McCawley’s job was getting Marines and soldiers to the battle and fighting off Japanese aircraft. Japanese Navy aviation was still intact in 1943, and kamikaze attacks were still months away from being developed. Instead, enemy carrier and land-based aircraft would drop bombs and torpedoes on the Allied landing fleet.

Ross rose to the rank of signalman first class aboard the McCawley, which was the flagship of Rear Adm. Richmond Kelly Turner, commander of the amphibious force.

In its first day of battle at Guadalcanal, the McCawley shot down five Japanese fighter/bombers.

IN THICK OF AERIAL ATTACK

In June 1943, near Rendova Island, the Japanese defense was almost overwhelming. The McCawley shot down four enemy aircraft, but a torpedo that had been dropped from one of the Japanese planes struck the ship’s engine room, killing 15 members of the crew and knocking out all power, according to the Navy’s official history Web site.

Turner and his staff transferred to the destroyer USS Farenholt and Ross volunteered to stay with the salvage crew cleaning up the debris and trying to prevent the ship from sinking. Late in the afternoon the salvage party was ordered off the ship and commanders were to decide whether to tow it for repairs or sink it.

As night approached, six American PT boats made the decision for them. Mistaking the abandoned McCawley for an enemy ship, they sank her with torpedoes. It was perhaps one of the earliest incidents of “friendly fire.”

Ross said he was sent to Guadalcanal, which was in Allied hands by that time, and helped with the wounded. The crew was then sent to New Zealand to await reassignment.

“I won’t eat lamb,” Ross said, referring to what he felt was an almost daily diet of mutton and lamb during that time.

Ross was assigned to the USS President Hayes, an armed troop transport that participated in the invasion of Bougainville in November 1943.

In mid-1944, Ross was reassigned to the Naval Air Station in Miami where he trained signalmen.

A recommendation from his commanding officer to his new post noted, “Convoy commanders have repeatedly expressed their praise for his coolness under stress of enemy contact, efficiency in the supervision of those men placed under his supervision and all around ability …”

LOST LETTER OF REJECTION

In January 1945, Ross married his girlfriend, Loyola, whom he had known since high school.

The five Ross children heard all through their childhood how Bill Ross had written to Loyola from sea asking her to marry him.

She wrote back: “No.”

But he never got the letter because his ship sank, along with his prized collection of pipes. So, the story goes, when she realized he didn’t get the letter, they got married.

Discharged in September 1945, Ross used the GI Bill to go to Western Reserve College, now Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, graduating with a degree in accounting.

In 1950, the Rosses moved to Clearwater where Bill became an accountant for Snow Crop, which also had offices in Auburndale. He later worked for Watkins Motor Lines and Florida Tile.

Although Parkinson’s disease makes speaking difficult, Ross had one last thing to say:

“I joined because we had to do it.”

“Huck PAC and I are pleased to endorse Dennis Ross for Congress. Serving in the state house for eight years, Dennis has the right kind of experience to go to Washington and make a difference. We know that when elected, Dennis’ first vote in Congress will be for a new speaker of the house – so Nancy Pelosi cannot push an unpopular radical liberal agenda on the American people.

Dennis is a strong advocate of true conservative principles: limited government, lower taxes and traditional family values. He is well respected by his peers and will make a great Congressman that the Republican Party, the 12th District and all of Florida can be proud to call their own.

Please join me in supporting Dennis Ross for Congress – let’s send this strong conservative to Congress.”

Upon receiving the endorsement, our campaign released the following statement:

“Grassroots conservative activists and all citizens who believe in practicing conservative principles know Governor Huckabee.  I am deeply honored and truly excited to receive his endorsement today.  Governor Huckabee only supports candidates who are ‘passionate advocates for tax reform, a strong national defense, real border security, life, the family, less government, and individual liberty.’   Those principles are my passion and I intend to go to Washington to vote, advocate, and practice those principles.  My history demonstrates that if my party veers away from those principles, I will not.  I thank Governor Huckabee for his endorsement, his support, and his steadfast commitment to faith, family, and freedom.”

Governor Huckabee recognizes that the Republican Party must practice the principles we all hold dear.  He is committed to not dividing the conservative vote and making 2010 a true change year.  Real Tea Party activists, grassroots conservatives, and pro-family leaders know we must unite and have united behind our campaign.  Today’s endorsement reinforces that conservatives in District 12 know who the only conservative choice is for Congress.”