Contact: Vicki Bendure
(540) 687-3360 or
Dianne Murphy
(540) 687-3486

For Immediate Release

PLANET PARTICIPATES IN WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING

Herndon, VA, September 1, 2005 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) announced today that Tom Delaney, director of government affairs, and PLANET legislative consultant Laurie Flanagan with DC Legislative & Regulatory Services, Inc., attended a senior level White House briefing on comprehensive immigration reform.  The invitation-only briefing was held on August 2 and was conducted by Barry Jackson, deputy assistant to the president and deputy to the senior advisor (Karl Rove); Steven Law, deputy secretary of labor; and Ken Hill, Department of Homeland Security executive secretary.

Organizations invited to participate in the briefing included PLANET, The Business Roundtable, EWIC, Marriott Corporation, National Roofers Association, The Cato Institute, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a few other organizations.

During the briefing, Jackson, Law, and Hill outlined President George Bush’s principles for immigration reform.  Jackson explained that the administration is committed to comprehensive immigration reform and that Senators Kyl (R-AZ), Cornyn (R-TX), McCain (R-AZ), Kennedy (D-MA), and several other Judiciary Committee Members were recently given a similar presentation by Karl Rove and others.  The President believes that comprehensive reform must include three key elements:  gain control of our borders, build a robust interior enforcement program, and establish an effective temporary worker program.

President Bush also asked White House staff to develop an immigration proposal that includes all three elements based on the following principles:  protecting the homeland, restoring the rule of law, recognizing that amnesty encourages violations of law and perpetuates illegal immigration, serving the economic needs of our nation, and honoring our nation’s history of openness to legal immigration.

“I felt this was a very beneficial meeting,” explained Delaney, “It clearly spoke to the fact that the Administration is focused on immigration issues and is seeking our input.” Added Delaney, “This should help us with our H-2B issues as well.”

After presentations by Jackson, Law, and Hill, the meeting concluded by taking questions and listening to comments. They promised to maintain a dialogue with the groups represented at the meeting.

###