CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR FAROUK SHAMI SAYS CREATING JOBS IS ANSWER TO
CRIME ON BORDER

EL PASO -- Farouk Shami says he has the answer to border violence:
fighting poverty.

"People aren't born violent or druggies," said Shami, a Democratic
candidate for governor. "But poverty does create despair, which leads
to (drugs and violence). We have to resolve it. It's a shame there's
not a war on poverty."

Shami, who was in El Paso on Friday, spoke during the 2010 National
Latino Congreso at the Camino Real Hotel.

"I'm a businessman and my heart is for the people -- the true people,"
he said. "I want to create jobs to help the economy.

"As a businessman that means I can balance a budget, I don't
discriminate, I look out for the best interest of everybody, and most
importantly, I'm an honest man," he said.

The conference is considering Hispanic people's concerns and questions
about issues such as education, jobs, the future of colonias,
discrimination and Hispanic women.

The three-day conference is also a campaign stop for many candidates,
ranging from Democratic Texas gubernatorial hopefuls Shami and Bill
White to candidates in local races.

White will speak to the group at 3 p.m. today.

"I was impressed with everything Shami is planning with the jobs and
moving forward in the economy," said Edward Ybarra, president of the
League of United Latin American Citizens, Council 402. "I'm part of
the education council, and I really liked what Shami and (lieutenant
governor candidate) Linda Chavez-Thompson had to say about how
important education is and what they're willing to do to make sure our
kids get that opportunity."

If elected, Shami hopes to work with Chavez-Thompson as his lieutenant
governor. Palestinian-born Shami is optimistic about having "both
brown" people lead Texas.

"I want to take advantage of the negatives," said Shami. "With my
business here I'll bring hundreds of thousands of jobs and the minimum
wage will be between $10 and $15. You pay the employees more, they pay
more taxes and that goes to the government, and that's how you fix the
economy."

Shami hopes to begin manufacturing his line of CHI hair products and
tools in El Paso. He opened a plant in Houston in July.