I testified Thursday before the House Small Business Committee (on YouTube here) and it was just he usual choreographed show, but one thing caught my attention. While we were waiting for members to come back from a vote, I noticed the gavel used by chairman Nydia Velazquez (American Conservative Union rating of 4) in presiding over the proceedings. Here’s what the plaque on the gavel said:
Hon. Nydia Velazquez
Pres. Comite de Pequenos Negocios
Camera de Representantes
Estados Unidos
Sure, it’s just a gavel, but symbolism matters, especially in the business of the national legislature, for heaven’s sake. This is why we need comprehensive assimilation reform before we can even talk about “comprehensive immigration reform.”