Mr. Speaker. as cochairman of the Democratic Council on EthnicAmericans. I rise to inform my colleagues that today is the day we set aside to honor our Nations rich ethnic and immigrant heritage. Today also marks the 101st anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty. Immigrant Americans have always distinguished themselves and added to our diversity through their determination to preserve their customs and values. However. they have at the same time been recognized as patriotic Americans willing to defend their new homeland with their lives. if need be. Mr. Speaker. diversity has always been at the root of our strength and our prosperity. Immigrants from all over the world have given our Nation a special place in the world. No other country in the world shares such a combination of ancient cultural heritage with the experience of the New World. For over 100 years. the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of the old meeting the new and the promise of freedom that allows us all to live in harmony and genuine opportunity to build a better life for all who have come to share in this promise. On National Immigrants Day. we pay tribute to those who have braved turbulent times in their own countries and chose to become Americans. In order to remind the present generation of our rich past. we must rededicate ourselves to insuring that future generations of immigrants will have the opportunity to come to America and prosper.
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