By Itasca Small
Welcome to the Republican Party, Senator Begay!
You are a valuable addition to our Party!
You bravely stood alone—against your Party—in your vote for the Budget Bill because you honestly believed it was the right thing to do.
In the last hours of the Session, you again stood against your Party to support the Parental Opt-Out Bill. Sadly, in the second vote, you changed your vote to NO, insuring its defeat! Of course, there would not have been a second vote if just one of four Republican Senators had voted AYE the first time!
Without hesitation, you honestly answered my query as to why you changed your vote—it wasn’t because of your own Party’s pressure! I was bitterly disappointed by the defeat of Parental Opt-Out. But, now:
Your decision to join the Republican Party is a Bright Light for the Future of Arizona and our Children! Because:
It bodes well for your future as a brave Republican in our State Senate, that: Without hesitation, you chose honesty in giving your reason for changing that vote, and you chose honesty each time you stood, brave and alone, opposed to your own Party.
Again, you bravely chose honesty in your decision to transfer your loyalty—with honor—to the Republican Party! I know changing parties was a difficult decision, and that you had to wrestle with the Democratic Party’s historical dominance among the Diné, and among so many American Indians including my own Chickasaw Nation.
Your honesty will be of immense value to Arizona, as you seek to do what is right! Because, as you so eloquently impart in your announcement, I believe you are strongly motivated in Mind and Heart—and in Spirit—to improve education and the economy for the Navajo Nation and ALL of the Great State of Arizona. True education and economic prosperity work hand-in-glove for us all!
I honor your honesty, and, having also witnessed your participation on the Education Committee and in other venues, I am pleased and encouraged by your decision!
Welcome Home, Senator Carlyle Begay!
For Our Liberty under God,
Itasca Small