Last week, I attended the XXIV Border Governors' Conference in Austin, Texas.  I was joined there by the Governors of Texas, New Mexico and California, as well as our counterparts from neighboring Mexican states.

With the federal government and Congress continuing in their failure to address the issue of illegal immigration head-on, Border Governors have stepped in.  For the past several years, we have worked collaboratively on a variety of approaches to addressing this problem and our most recent meeting was no exception.

First, on my initiative we jointly signed a bi-partisan letter to House Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader Frist urging them to take immediate action along our nation's Southern border.  For too long, Border States have borne the brunt of illegal immigration and the time for federal action, from both the United States and Mexican governments, is now.

Additionally, we expanded a previously established council to focus on border security and designed to foster bilateral engagement.  The council will continue the process of reform implementation as well as focus on new joint, cross border initiatives.

Enhancing quality of life in our border communities means building programs to revitalize and stimulate the region. Vibrant, clean, well-educated border communities are good places to live and centers of economic activity, while poverty, crime and limited educational opportunities depress living standards and diminish our state's ability to take advantage of cross-border trade and investment opportunities. Through our bi-national committees, Border States will continue to develop integrated projects across multiple industries. Representatives from these committees will implement solutions to keep Arizona's border communities safe and economically competitive.

For more information about Arizona's participation in the Border Governors' Conference please my Web site www.azgovernor.gov. There you will find our press release on the XXIV Border Governors' Conference and a copy of the letter the Governors and I sent to Congress.

For more information about the Arizona-Mexico Commission visit www.azmc.org.