Two weeks ago Florida GOP state Senator Allen Hays cautioned against the creation of a minority-majority district in Central Florida because it may benefit illegal immigrants and people who “have no business voting.” He backed up this assertion saying that “many Hispanic-speaking residents” are illegal.
The remark outraged both Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature, with the most strident comments coming from Hispanic Democrats like Miami Representative Luis Garcia, who wrote a letter to Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and House Speaker Dean Cannon, calling for Hays to issue a public apology.
But two weeks later, Garcia has heard nothing from those leaders, and he's still waiting.
"Your silence has been deafening, " his letter begins. "Your desire to leave my letter unanswered is of little concern to me. However turning a blind eye to the disrespectful remarks made by Senator Hays is troubling."
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2011.