Guest Column
Mexico's Contributions to the United States
- By Oscar Padilla
- May 21, 2006
Let me begin by saying that I am much opposed to illegal immigration, however there is too much negative emphasis being made on the issue by the local and national media. I have been observing an escalation of strong, hateful language being used towards Mexico, when writing and speaking about illegal immigration.
Attacking the illegal immigrant, without ever mentioning employers who hire them is comparable to attacking the drug addict, without mentioning the drug dealer. Who do you suppose is responsible for the situation?
MEXICO, for all its faults has proven itself to be a good neighbor and friend to the United States.
For those with short memories, or not yet been born, let me remind or enlighten them that Mexico, although never attacked nor threatened, declared war on Japan. It removed Japanese-Mexicans from its coastline to better strengthen our defenses along the Mexican-U.S. border. As a gesture of solidarity during the war, Mexico placed all of its natural resources at the disposal of the United States.
Mexico sent one of its air force squadrons to the Pacific to fight the Japanese. They fought with valor and were much decorated.
When the U.S. dollar weakened, during the trade deficit in the Nixon administration, Mexico purchased millions of dollars to give the dollar strength and stability in the world monetary market.
When the United States lost its source of oil during the Iran crises, Mexico without hesitating, immediately offered the United States whatever amount of oil it required and at the same price that it was paying Iran for its oil.
The United States at that time entered into an agreement to purchase Mexico's natural gas. To supply this natural gas, Mexico, at its own expense, ran hundreds of miles of pipeline from their natural gas basin in the southern part of Mexico to the Texas border.
Mexico was placing a price comparable to that which the United States was paying Canada. The United States wanted to pay Mexico less for its natural gas, and the agreement collapsed.
Mexican's, both citizens and non-citizens, serving in the United States armed forces, received the highest number of Medals of Honor of all ethnic groups.
Today the majority of illegal immigrants come to the United States to help the farmer harvest its crops...clean rooms in hotels and motels; sew may of the garments we wear (and not imported from China)...they are indispensable to the building industry.... they cook and serve our meals in restaurants...help mothers with housecleaning...and serve as nanny's so US mother's can go to work to help support their families.
- We, the people of the United States, should get on our knees and thank the Lord for giving us such fine and friendly neighbors as Mexico has been to us.
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- Oscar Padilla is a WWII veteran, after his service he was the founder of Oscar Padilla Insurance, the firm credited with pioneering auto insurance to US auto travelers to Mexico. Mr. Padilla was appointed as Alternate Delegate to UNESCO IN 1976, and also received an appointment by then President George H. Bush as Alternate Delegate to the United Nations in 1991. He lives in retirement in San Diego, California. Contact Oscar Padilla at: op.mkp@cox.net
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