The Person few people hear about......
I was humbled early last November by my fellow Republicans decision to put their trust in me as the Senate President. As the Senate President, I promised I would be vigilant in the promotion of the core values that our Founding Fathers so long ago sacrificed and committed their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for this Republic.
As stated by others leadership, practiced at its best, is the art and science of calling to the hearts and minds of others. It is engaging others in an enterprise of sound strategic focus, where they can experience a sense of ownership, of making a difference, of being valued and adding value.
Last November's election we observed an awakening of
Arizona has passed some of the strongest legislation in
the nation, I am proud to have been the architect and author of most of them,
from Prop 200 in 2004 (Arizona's Citizens and Voters Protection Act) to stop
welfare fraud and voter fraud by illegal aliens and ACORN type groups, SB1108
The Freedom to Carry Act, making Arizona the #1 state in the nation on
2nd Amendment freedoms, a restoration of our Constitutional
liberties.
In 2006 I authored Prop. 100 to deny bail to illegal aliens who commit serious crimes; Prop. 102 to deny punitive damages to any illegal alien who sues an American Citizens; Prop. 103 to make English the official language ofArizona
In 2007 I wrote the toughest employer sanctions law in the nation to stop illegal employers from hiring illegal aliens with revocation of their business license (The Profits over Patriotism Crowd). We just won a 5 -3 victory in the United States Supreme Court. A huge states rights victory.
In 2010 I wrote and authored SB1070 (Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act) to eliminate “illegal” Sanctuary Policies inArizona Arizona Arizona
We have good laws; we just need to enforce them. No more excuses by politicians. Enforcement works. No Amnesty. Don't need roundups, just one traffic stop at a time. The fact isArizona
In 2006 I authored Prop. 100 to deny bail to illegal aliens who commit serious crimes; Prop. 102 to deny punitive damages to any illegal alien who sues an American Citizens; Prop. 103 to make English the official language of
In 2007 I wrote the toughest employer sanctions law in the nation to stop illegal employers from hiring illegal aliens with revocation of their business license (The Profits over Patriotism Crowd). We just won a 5 -3 victory in the United States Supreme Court. A huge states rights victory.
In 2010 I wrote and authored SB1070 (Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood Act) to eliminate “illegal” Sanctuary Policies in
We have good laws; we just need to enforce them. No more excuses by politicians. Enforcement works. No Amnesty. Don't need roundups, just one traffic stop at a time. The fact is
We have passed legislation to increase school choice, protect mothers and their babies, restore our lost 2nd Amendment rights, Healthcare Freedom Act to protect your choice in healthcare, elimination of Affirmative Action, stopping the abuse of eminent domain and securing property rights and much more. Thanks to Arizona citizens and my fellow colleagues we are a national model as what states can do, Freedom to Carry Act SB1108 a bill that I Sponsored to restore our 2nd Amendment Constitutional Rights to our law abiding citizens, put on the ballot Healthcare Freedom Act, Proposition 107 to eliminate Affirmative Action Programs in government and Proposition 102 The Marriage Amendment a Constitutional Amendment to protect marriage between a man and a woman. We ushered in the largest tax reduction and jobs growth bill in state history. We balanced a budget with no gimmicks, no borrowing for the first time in years. We have begun the long process of restoring fiscal sanity to our great state.
I always put
I am proud to call myself the Tea Party President; and in fact was Tea Party before Tea Party was cool. We can take back
"The strongest ally...against government encroachment on liberty" - The Goldwater Institute
I have consistently been Arizona 's conservative leader and dedicated to preserving
our nation's values and in defending the rule of law in Arizona
- Legislator of the year" 2009 by taxpayer watchdog
groups
- Ranked #1 Legislator by Americans for Prosperity
- Ranked #1 Legislator by the Pachyderm Coalition of Reagan
Republicans
- Awarded "Hero of the Taxpayer" by the American Tax Reform
Association
- Honored by David Horowitz as a National Leader in Defense of
- Recognized by the Goldwater Institute as the top legislature in defense of liberty and stopping the encroachment of Government.
- Awarded "most courageous legislator" by the Eagle Forum
- I was honored by the Arizona Police Association, the largest law enforcement association in Arizna as the first legislator to be given an Honorary Membership.
- I was given the Golden Apple award by the Parents of Education
- Supported and endorsed by LD18 voters, by NFIB, Maricopa County Republicans, State Republican Party, Gov. Brewer, Attorney General Tom Horne, Supt. of Public Instruction John Huppenthal, Corp. Commission Chairman Gary Pierce, Sheriff Joe, Sheriff Paul Babeu, Az Constable Association, AzCOPS, Probation Officers Association, Az Family Project, Realtors of Arizona, Homebuilders of Arizona, Firefighters of Arizona, Team America, Eagle Forum, Right to Life, by national groups across America and the list goes on.
- Responsible for elimination of over $1 billion deficit and a balanced budget with no gimmicks
- Worked with Governor Brewer to get the largest tax decrease in state history passed and signed into law
- Worked to pass the largest Pension Reform in history in order to protect the taxpayers and those in the system
DEFENDING OUR VALUES:
- 100% Pro-Life Record
- Defender of Private Property Rights and stopping the abuse of
Eminent Domain
- Defending 2nd Amendment liberties (A+ rating from the NRA,
top ranked by the Arizona Citizens Defense League
- Sponsored the largest tax relief package in state history
- Strong supporter of quality education and education choice to
allow parents the right to pick the best schools for their children
- Strong Public Safety and Safe Neighborhoods, Secure Borders and
Strict Interior Enforcement
AUTHOR OF HISTORIC LEGISLATION:
- SB1070 -
- PROPOSITION 200, in "04 also know as Protect
- Prop. 100 (in"06) No Bail for Illegal Aliens arrested for
serious crimes a Constitutional Amendment
- Prop. 102 (in '06) No Punitive damages to an illegal alien who
sues an American Citizen
- Prop. 103 (in '06) Making English the Official Language in
- HB2779 (in '07), or
- SB1108 (in '10), Arizona's Freedom to Carry Act, which restores
to law abiding citizens their Constitutional right to gear arms, open or
concealed
- SCR1031 (in '10)
- Prop. 102,
- Also sponsored
"We are a nation of laws. We must have the courage - to
enforce, with compassion but without apology, those laws that protect the
integrity of our borders and the rights of our lawful citizens."
For God, Family and the Republic, Stay free, stay safe
and never surrender ... God Bless America
InLiberty
Russell Pearce
Senate President (I was Tea Party before Tea Party was Cool)
In
Russell Pearce
Senate President (I was Tea Party before Tea Party was Cool)
From Attorney Mel
McDonald: I have known of Russell since his days with the
Sheriff’s Department, and have followed his career through the years. We
actually became very close in 2002. Russell was driving home from work along
McKellips
Road Mesa McKellips Road
I would like to share some of his
personal life history. From a very difficult and challenging childhood, he has
emerged as one of the genuine leaders of this state and our nation in our
day.
I. BIOGRAPHY
Russell Pearce was born on June
23, 1947, and is one of thirteen children in a blended family. He is a
fifth-generation Arizonan on both his mother and his father’s side. His family
has long served the public interests of Arizona Lake
Mead (now under water). His Great Grandfather James Pearce founded
Taylor Arizona in the 1860’s. His Great Uncle Joe Pearce was one of the original
Arizona Rangers serving from 1901-1909. His brother Lester Pearce was a state
Senator in the 1990’s and is currently a Justice of the Peace and two of Senator
Pearce’s sons are in law enforcement.
His nephew Brent Bretz is an Iraq
Russell’s youth was tough. His
family was poor and his father was an alcoholic without a steady job. This
caused the family to move from one squalid rental home to another. This story
was related in an Arizona Republic
Pearce describes his mother as “a
saint.” He does not ever remember going to bed when she was not up still
working, or getting up when she was not already up working. Her integrity,
do-it-yourself attitude, and sense of personal responsibility influenced
Pearce’s core political beliefs and molded him into the man that he is today. In
an Arizona
Republic
After high school, from 1967 to
1969, Pearce went on a church mission in the Northeastern United where he, among
other things, worked on projects to beautify neighborhoods and tended to the
elderly and sick. While serving in the Easter States Mission, he was recognized
for his hard work as he does at anything he believes. Senator Pearce has always
put God, Family and Country above all else and walks the talk. He believes that
America
Throughout his youth, Pearce
dreamed of becoming a doctor but due to financial constraints, instead, upon
returning to Arizona
Pearce joined the National Guard
as a junior in high school and served for eight years and received an honorable
discharge.
Senator Pearce revered the police
badge and justice was important to him, an issue which has helped define his
political career. He believed public safety was the government’s number one
responsibility, next to the protection of one’s liberty. He worked all aspects
of law enforcement from deputy through Chief Deputy.
II. HIS NEAR-DEATH
EXPERIENCE
One event, in particular, on July
2, 1977, defines Pearce and his time with the Sheriff’s Office. While patrolling
in Guadalupe, Pearce spotted three teenage gang members carrying what appeared
to be beer and after confronting them, the teenagers were uncooperative and one
of them instructed his Doberman to attack Pearce. While struggling with the dog
and one of the teenage subjects, the dog’s owner, another teenager, seized
Pearce’s .357 Magnum. Pearce smacked the dog with his flashlight and let get of
the one teenager and grabbed for the gun, as the teenager aimed and shot. The
bullet dismembered Pearce’s right ring finger before it slammed into his chest.
Pearce was not wearing a protective vest. Despite his life-threatening wound, he
continued his efforts and was able to wrestle one of the teenagers into his
squad car. While calling for backup, Pearce realized the severity of his wounds,
yet continued pursuing the other two teenagers who were still in possession of
his gun. For his work, dedication and consistent demonstration of bravery in
this and other related events, Pearce received the Medal of Valor, the highest
award given in law enforcement for exceptional bravery. (Note: Senator Pearce
has two sons in law enforcement, both highly decorated, Sean with Maricopa
County Sheriff’s Office, and Colten with Gilbert Police Department. Sean was
critically wounded in a gun battle with an illegal alien, while servicing a
homicide warrant.) Senator Pearce and his son Sean are the only father and son
in Arizona
The remainder of his time with
the Sheriff’s Office was productive and celebrated. He was nominated several
times as Deputy of the Year and Young Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. In
addition to, and despite his full-time job and struggling to raise a family,
Pearce earned his Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Phoenix in 1981, and later was recognized as the
University of
Phoenix Alumni
Pearce worked all areas of law
enforcement, including the SWAT (TOU) team, lake patrol, warrants, civil,
patrol, training, records, special assistant to the Sheriff and liaison to the
legislature, Sheriffs, County Attorneys
III. HIS APPOINTMENT AS A JUSTICE OF THE
PEACE
In March of 1991, Russell left
the Sheriff’s office after he was appointed by the Maricopa County Board of
Supervisors to establish and lead the new North Mesa Justice Court Maricopa County
IV. SERVICE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS CHIEF
DEPUTY TO THE MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF
After a brief eighteen-month
stint as Justice of the Peace, Pearce returned to law enforcement as the Chief
Deputy of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 for Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Pearce became known for his political savvy, budget awareness, and fiscal
responsibility, while directing the operations of the fourth largest sheriff’s
office in the nation, and as Chief Deputy, he was also responsible for
overseeing the 4th largest jail in the United States Tent City
But his resourcefulness did not
stop there. Upon learning that Arizona
Pearce co-created the Youth
Assistance Foundation to generate positive interaction between youth and law
enforcement, raising over a half million dollars and benefiting thousands of
youth at risk in its first year.
Other accomplishments include
helping to create a self-funding system to offset the taxpayer’s cost to housing
inmates, cooperating with the FBI to create the “Desert Hawk Fugitive Force”
(one of the most successful in the nation), and writing and implementing some of
the toughest DUI legislation in the nation. Pearce also helped develop the very
first helicopter aviation program to aid law enforcement and Search and Rescue
efforts in Maricopa County
V. APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR OF THE
GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF
HIGHWAY SAFETY
In February of 1994, Pearce
became the Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, continuing his
get-tough law enforcement policies. He expanded the DUI Task Force into a
statewide effort, promoted alcohol “Zero Tolerance” for youth under 21, and
received national recognition and a national award for an Hispanic outreach
program to reduce DUI’s and underage drinking.
VI. APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR
VEHICLES
In 1995, Senator Pearce was asked
by Governor Symington to become the Director of the Motor Vehicle Department, an
offer which he accepted, with an agreement with the Governor to “really” change
MVD to make more sense and more customer friendly and less costly. His skills
as an efficient manager and budgeter were on display when he eliminated the need
for more than three million annual transactions and reduced wait times for MVD
customers from over two hours to about twenty minutes. His innovations saved the
MVD over $10 million annually in administration costs.
In another effort directed at
saving the taxpayer time and money, Pearce implemented “Service Arizona,” the
first program of its kind in the nation to renew vehicle registrations and other
transactions online, 24/7 from the comforts of your home. “Service
Arizona” has proven extremely successful (over 2 million annual
transactions), meriting an E-Business award from IBM, the first and only
presented to a government agency in the world.
While Director of MVD, Pearce
consulted with the Governor in creating the GITEM (Gang, Intelligence, Training,
Enforcement Mission) a state wide task force to combat the growing gang violence
in Arizona
VII. RETURN TO THE JUDICIARY – THEN A RUN
FOR THE LEGISLATURE
After leaving the MVD in August
of 1999, Pearce became a Pro-Tem Judge for the Maricopa County Justice Courts. ,
Pearce was recruited and did campaign as a Republican to become the State
Representative of District 18 (formerly District 29). . Pearce felt it was his
duty to his country to become a state representative so that he could, with
common sense and resourcefulness, make government smaller and more efficient,
balance the budget, reduce the burden on taxpayers, and preserve liberty. The
voters of District 18 in November of 2000 agreed and elected him to represent
them in the Arizona House of Representatives.
VIII. HIS HEART ATTACK AND STROKE WHILE
SERVING AS A LEGISLATOR
Soon after he was sworn into
public office, however, he suffered a heart attack, a year later followed by a
stroke. Yet Pearce refused to quit, and within a few days after his stroke, was
back at work at the Legislature. . This attitude and work ethic has been present
throughout Pearce’s time in office as he has worked tirelessly on the behalf of
District 18 and the citizens of our State.
IX.
SOME OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS AT THE
LEGISLATURE
Senator Pearce has become known
as a committed public servant, with his love for the Constitution, liberty,
advocating for lower taxes, freedom from government intrusion and restrictions,
parental rights, school choice, property rights, excellence in education and his
support of law enforcement. For many years while in the Legislature, Pearce
served as Appropriations Chairman and was responsible for a balanced budget and
eliminating the worst, structural deficit in Arizona
Under his leadership, a $500
million tax relief for taxpayers in Arizona
Pearce has been instrumental in
protecting private property rights and guaranteed constitutional liberties. He
was one of the prime sponsor of legislation to stop abuse of Eminent Domain by
public entities and to protect private property rights.
Senator Pearce sponsored SB1108,
also known as “Freedom to Carry Act,” which allows law abiding citizens their
Constitutional right to carry, open or concealed guns in the process of
receiving an A+ rating from the NRA and a top ranking from the Arizona Citizens
Defense League, making Arizona the number One state in the nation for Second
Amendment freedom.
Pearce was recognized by the
Goldwater Institute as the number one legislator who “proved to be the strongest
ally… against government encroachment on liberty.”
X. HIS SERVICE FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND
FOR CHILDREN
While Senator Pearce is best
known for his work on behalf of taxpayers , he is quietly lauded for his
compassion. For example in 2006, Pearce sponsored HB 2371 that provided funding
for children with autism to “increase programming capacity for those affected by
autism and improve the quality of service they receive” (Southwest Autism
Research and Resource magazine Outreach, 29). As described in the SARRC
magazine, Pearce “understood the fiscal ramifications of long-term cost
avoidance for autism services and had deep compassion for the pain that many
families with autism are experiencing” (Outreach, 29).
Similarly, this year (2011),
Pearce was honored by Arizona School Public Relations Association for his
outstanding contributions to public education. Additionally, in a ceremony at
Arizona
State University Arizona
XI. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS IN FIGHTING ILLEGAL
IMMIGRATION
But possibly Pearce’s greatest
and most controversial achievements are associated with illegal immigration,
supported by an overwhelming majority of votes in Arizona and across America
He believes, “that you have to
have permission to enter this country just like you have to have permission to
enter my home.”
His unwavering persistence has
seen Pearce author of Prop 200 in 2004, a “Citizens Initiative” which Senator
Pearce wrote and obtained enough signatures to get on the ballot, also known as
Protect Arizona NOW. Prop 200 requires proof of citizenship to register to vote,
requires ID at the polls, and requires proof of eligibility and legal presence
in the U.S. Arizona
Then in 2011 a huge state’s
rights victory in the U.S. Supreme Court on a 5 to 3 decision on Pearce’s
Employer Sanctions legislation called Arizona
Chamber of Commerce v.
Whiting
The Court said: “Our precedents
‘establish that a high threshold must be met if a state law is to be pre-empted
for conflicting with the purposes of a federal Act.’ That threshold is not met
here.”
The Court also rejected the
Chamber’s (ridiculous) argument that Arizona Arizona
The disinformation campaign on
HB2779 would have made a Soviet propagandist proud. The politicking regarding
Arizona Arizona
Most controversially by some,
Pearce’s SB1070 in 2010, otherwise known as “Support our Law Enforcement and
Safe Neighborhood Act” which, at the time it was passed, was the broadest and
strictest act against illegal immigration in the country. Since then, many
states are modeling legislation after SB 1070 that removes all “illegal
sanctuary” policies in the state of Arizona, taking the illegal political
handcuffs off from law enforcement and requires the police to check the
immigration status of an individual whom has already been stopped for another
reason, if the officer has reason to believe that person is not in the country
legally. It contained specific language prohibiting racial profiling. Some felt
this was targeting Hispanics, but Pearce’s motives were once again focused on
the interest of Arizona
Pearce remarked, “We must have
the courage – to enforce, with compassion but without apology, those laws that
protect the integrity of our border and the rights of our citizens.”
Pearce’s intentions as an elected
representative of the people and throughout his over forty years in public
service have always been to be “fair, honest, efficient, effective, innovative,
passionate, assertive and loyal to the citizens and taxpayers [he] serves.”
Pearce’s colleagues regard him highly.
GOVERNOR BREWER: “I have known Russell
for over two
decades; a dedicated law
enforcement who was shot in the line of
duty, a fiscal conservative
who has consistently been a voice and a
vote for decreased
government spending, an uncompromising
advocate for State’s Rights
and now a national leader in our fight
to enforce our nation’s
immigration laws and to secure our border.
His unwavering dedication
to enforcing the rule of law will help
save our country from an
Obama administration dedicated to
undermining our nation’s
immigration laws. Until the rule of law is
established on both sides
of the Arizona-Mexico border there will
be no peace, no future
economic opportunity and no hope or
resolving these issues
undermining Arizona
prosperity.”
SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO: “As a Sheriff’s
Deputy, Russell was shot
in the line of duty. His
son was also shot in the line of duty by an
illegal immigrant. The
Pearce family has put their lives on the line
to protect us.”
TOM HORNE, Attorney General: “Senator
Pearce has given law
enforcement the tools to do
the job President Obama refuses to do
– secure our border. This
includes authoring SB1070, requiring
voter identification at the
polls, and making it illegal for employers
to hire illegal
immigrants.”
JOHN HUPPENTHAL, Superintendent of
Public Instruction:
“Russell has consistently
supported accountability in the classroom
and school choice. He is a
great supporter of education and making
sure each child receives a
quality education.”
DOUG DUCEY, Arizona State Treasurer:
“Russell Pearce is a
strong fiscal Conservative
who has led the effort in the state senate
to cut wasteful spending
and balance the state’s budget. It’s why
the Arizona Taxpayer
Association recognized him as a “Champion
of the Taxpayer” and the
American Tax Reform Association called
him a “Hero of the
Taxpayer.”
BAY BUCHANAN of Team America
Treasure, under President Ronald
Reagan): “Let me be clear about
this. Russell Pearce is the
most effective legislator on immigration
issues in the
country….state or federal! For starters, he is the
architect of SB 1070—the
most effective piece of legislation
against illegal immigration
ever written and passed. It is so
powerful a tool against
illegal immigration that Open Borders
Obama is suing Arizona
Senate President Russell K.
Pearce to be an Honorary Member of
the APA. "Livingston concluded. This is the first time a
legislator
has received such an honor,
President Pearce has a long and
distinguished career as a
law enforcement officer (Former Chief
Deputy with Maricopa County
Sheriff, President Pearce
was critically wounded by gang members
in Guadalupe (shot in the
hand and in the chest with a 357
magnum), his son Sean
Pearce a Deputy Sheriff was also critically
wounded in a gun battle by
an illegal alien wanted on homicide
charges. President Pearce
and his son both are recipients of the
Medal of Valor for
exceptional bravery in the line of duty and may
be the only Father and Son
team in Arizona
the Medal of Valor the
highest award given in law enforcement.
President Pearce is a
national figure in many battles, including
securing our borders and
enforcing our laws, he is the author of
Prop. 200 in '04, Prop.
100, 102, and 103 in '06, Employer
Sanctions in '07 and SB1070
in 2010 that is loved from coast to
coast by 70% of
Americans.”
GARY PIERCE, Chairman, Arizona
Corporation Commission: “I
have personally known
Russell Pearce for more than 40 years. He
has made an honest effort
to improve education and make Mesa
safer place to live. As
Senate President, Russell led the charge to
pass a truly balanced
budget without borrowing or accounting
gimmicks. Russell Pearce
played a key role in legislation that will
lower taxes and bring
quality jobs and prosperity back to Arizona
ROC ARNETT, president of East Valley
Partnership, says
“[Pearce] is very dogmatic,
he’s very driven with what he is
doing.”
TOM FREESTONE, a veteran East Valley
to be “very thorough, very
well-studied” and “one of the best
presenters [he] has ever
seen.” Furthermore, Freestone believes
Pearce “is very respectful,
even if he disagreed” and always “true
to form.”
Today Pearce currently continues
his public service in the Senate where he was elected by his peers to serve as
President of the Senate. .
XII. HIS FAMILY LIFE
He and his wife LuAnne currently
have three of their grandchildren, under the age of five, who live with them in
their 1100 square foot home in Mesa
