Bruce calls farmworkers 'illiterate peasants'

DENVER - Rep. Douglas Bruce was silenced Monday for calling seasonal farmworkers "illiterate peasants" during a House debate.

The remark drew loud gasps from Democrats and Republicans, and Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, serving as House chairwoman, immediately cut Bruce off, demanding, "How dare you."

Lawmakers were discussing a proposal that would create a pilot program to let the state hire agents to recruit temporary workers. The program would grant the workers temporary visas, and the workers would have to return to their home countries after the growing season ended.

HB1325, sponsored by Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, is set for a final House vote today.

The slur was no slip of the tongue - Bruce was planning to create a stir. Last week he told a Gazette reporter "be there to watch the fireworks" when the bill was debated.

"I would like to get the opportunity to say at the microphone why I don't think we need 5,000 more illiterate peasants in Colorado," Bruce said during his turn at the microphone.

Curry brought down her gavel, barring Bruce from making further comments on the bill.

Bruce began his speech by sarcastically thanking Looper for the proposal.

"(Constituents) say, ‘Doug, you have to do something about immigration. The lines are too short in hospital emergency rooms. My children don't hear enough foreign languages in the classroom and during recess,'" Bruce said.

Reaction was swift and negative.

"I truly believe he is a bigot, and his remark today very candidly explained his position again," Looper said. She said the comments were a politically motivated stunt. "It's a last-ditch effort to try to save his career."

Bruce, a midterm appointee censured for kicking a newspaper photographer on the House floor before being sworn in, is up for election in November.

"There's no place for bigotry in the House," said House Assistant Majority Leader Terrance Carroll, D-Denver. "I say that as the descendant of illiterate slaves who built this country." Carroll is one of two black representatives.

Bruce also was denounced by Republican floor leader Mike May, R-Parker.

"You'd be hard-pressed to find an American citizen who isn't the descendant of an illiterate peasant," May said.

Bruce said his comments were only politically incorrect, and he said Looper's program would continue "an invasion we're accommodating and encouraging."

Looper proposed the bill in response to farmers complaining of a shortage of agricultural workers since the passage of laws cracking down on illegal immigrants in Colorado.