Klamath Basin Senator Whitsett stricter drivers license 051507

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Senator Doug Whitsett
Oregon State Capitol
May 15, 2007
Whitsett Votes for Stricter Driver’s License Requirements

Salem, OR – Senator Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls) voted Tuesday to make Oregon families more safe and secure by requiring proof of legal presence in order to obtain an Oregon driver’s license. The legal presence requirement came to the Senate floor as an amendment to Senate Bill 424.

“At one time, the Oregon Driver’s License was the ‘gold standard’ for identification, but no more,” said Whitsett. “More then 85,000 fraudulent Oregon Driver’s licenses were issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The only way to stop this type of fraud is to make applicants prove a legal presence in Oregon to obtain a driver’s license.”

In a major victory for Senate Republicans, the amendment passed 29 to 1. The amendment, which included all of the provisions of the original bill, will additionally require the Department of Motor Vehicles to verify both a social security number and proof of an Oregon residence before issuing a driver’s license.

“When it comes to keeping my family safe, there is no price too high. Safe and secure communities don’t just happen,” said Whitsett. “There is no reason we shouldn’t put some appropriate checks and balances on who is living in this country.”

“A terrorist ring was recently caught in New Jersey, three of them who were in our country illegally. To require legal presence for driver’s licenses is common sense,” said Whitsett. “Oregonians can sleep soundly knowing this legislature is taking new steps toward preventing terrorists from entering illegally into our country.”

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