Introductions

Before we can dive too deeply into any specific issue, it is important to first identify the most prominent public figures that will be involved.  In two or three of the next entries we will look at these key players in the legal and political fields.  First I will focus on the politicians, next will be the practicing attorneys.

One of the most well-known politicians in the area is Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.  She represents Arizona’s eighth district, which contains over 100 miles of Arizona’s southeastern border.  Giffords serves on the House Armed Services Committee, as well as subcommittees for Air and Land Forces and Military Readiness.  Working closely with the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, much of Giffords work relates to military border issues.

The other representative whose district covers much of the border is Raúl Grijalva.  Grijalva serves Arizona’s seventh district, an area that incorporates a stretch of land from Yuma to Nogales.  Having been involved in Southern Arizona politics since the 1980s, Grijalva has made a name for himself on issues such as education and labor, both of which are committees that he is a member of nationally.  Grijalva has also worked on pertinent border issues such as teacher and employee rights, small business support, and the advocacy of natural resource allotment.   

Locally, Tucson is home to several politicians who have done much in relation to the border.  Mayor Bob Walkup, who was recently elected to his third term, has worked closely with City Manager Mike Hein to enforce and reform laws involving drug smuggling, as well as environmental issues such as water conservation and recycling.

Tucson’s Vice Mayor, Karin Uhlich, maintains an economic mindset as she focuses on fair labor and serves as a representative to the United Nations on the International Labour Organization.

Another politician who has made a name for himself on going green is Rodney Glassman, the representative of Tucson’s second ward.  A California native and University of Arizona alumni, Glassman was recently elected on issues such as solar power and water conservation, campaign promises that he has already begun to enact in areas that go beyond his ward.

All of the aforementioned politicians pride themselves on border issues that relate to a variety of topics from the economy to the environment.  These are the individuals who will be discussed in future postings.  In the next entry we will look at the lawyers that are involved with the same issues, and the two groups of professionals will undoubtedly play off of each other as they work together to write, enact, and enforce the laws that regulate these points.