U.S. Rep., a former teacher, gives GOP 'F' on immigration letter

PASADENA, Calif., July 12 (UPI) -- Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who was a teacher before he was elected to Congress, gave Republicans an "F" when he graded a GOP letter on immigration.

Takano, a freshman Democrat who taught for 23 years, received a copy of the draft letter being circulated by Republicans, urging Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to address immigration reform piecemeal, rather than comprehensively. He got out a red pen and marked up the letter as he would a student's paper, KPCC-FM, Pasadena, Calif. , reported Thursday.

"Strong thesis" he wrote next to the letter's first sentence -- "The nation's immigration system is broken and in need of serious reform."

In some instances, he asked the letter's author to provide evidence for assertions -- including one referring to "vote-buying that occurred in the waning days before the Senate vote" on immigration.

"Do you have evidence or are you just making an accusation?" Takano wrote.

He concluded by calling the letter a "weak draft," giving it a big fat "F," and directing its writer to "see him after votes."

Takano said he wants the conversation in Congress on immigration "to be honest."