This page contains information on items of interest that have been hot topics recently. Be sure to also check out the Goode News newsletter for weekly updates on issues affecting the 5th District.

Immigration and Guest Worker Proposals

President Bush announced his proposal for "Fair and Secure Immigration Reform." I am very much opposed to the proposal of President Bush and other proposals, such as those of Congressman Howard Berman (D-CA), Senator Ted Kennedy(D-MA), and others that provide a glide path to legalization and Green Cards for those illegally in the country. The message that I have been hearing from constituents and citizens around the Fifth District is overwhelmingly in opposition to the President's proposed plans and these other plans that grant amnesty in some form. I am absolutely opposed to amnesty in any form for illegal aliens. These plans will actually undermine and destroy Guest Worker Programs over time. I do believe that the pay levels in the H-2A Guest Worker Program need to be changed. The amnesty contained in these proposals only encourage more illegal entry in to our country. We need a strong position in opposition to any amnesty and any glide path to legalization for those illegally in the country.

I will not be voting for the Bush plan, the Kennedy plan or any others that provide legalization for those illegally in the country. We should not encourage law breaking. I encourage you to visit the Immigration Reform Caucus' website to see what I and other Members of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus are doing about immigration policies. I am a cosponsor and supporter of Congressman Tancredo's Mass Immigration Reduction Act. This measure, "Provides that during a specified immigration moratorium period: (1) employment-based immigrant visas shall be reduced, and family-sponsored and diversity immigrant visas shall be eliminated; (2) immigrant status shall be granted only to children and spouses of U.S. citizens or priority workers; (3) refugee admissions and asylee adjustments shall be limited to 25,000 per year; and (4) an alien shall be required to renounce citizenship or nationality of any other country in order to be naturalized as a U.S. citizen."

We need comprehensive immigration reform now. Our policies are far too lax and our borders far too porous. I am the sponsor of a bill to allow military troops on our borders to keep out illegal aliens, drugs and terrorists that threaten the safety and security of the United States.

Virgil Goode Gets Caught...Reading

Buckingham County, Virginia. Today, like everyday, Congressman Virgil Goode read something just for fun. But today, he was caught on camera! Congressman Goode participated in this campaign designed to encourage and put the fun back in reading. Congressman Goode stated, “Without reading skills, the chances of success in the complex society of today are almost nil.” He stresses the importance of encouraging the values of reading to our children and community.

Congressman Goode is shown reading to youngsters at the Central Virginia Community Health Center, which is located on Route 15 in Buckingham County, Virginia.

Charlottesville, which is located in the northern part of the Fifth District, is home to the Virginia Festival of the Book, which is a world-recognized event with leading national and international authors and numerous educational activities for persons of all ages. The Virginia Festival of the Book encourages reading and brings many persons to the Charlottesville area in the spring of each year. The 2008 Virginia Festival of the Book is set for March 26-30, 2008. More information can be found by visiting their website at www.vabook.org