Speech #1010216589

Chairman. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I want to salute my colleagues on the Subcommittee on Immigration for the wonderful work they have done on this bill. Today the House is faced with a challenge. and that is to defy myths. misperceptions. and misplaced fears. and act with intelligence. insight. and reason. by enacting immigration reform. This legislation is the culmination of years of debate and wrangling. and enjoys the broadbased support of ethnic. religious. and civil rights groups. certain business concerns. and organized labor. Getting all those groups together was no small feat. The bill rightfully recognizes the industry and valuable contributions that immigrants have made throughout the history of our Nation. It is based on the fundamental premise that immi. grants are good for America. and despite the fact that immigrants are such an integral and evolving part of our identity as a Nation. our immigration policies have stagnated for the last 25 years. Meanwhile. the world turns. Clearly. the world of nations has taken a giant leap since 1965 when we last overhauled our laws. Since then an increasingly interdependent and global economy has shown Members that the United States cannot afford to lose sight of one of its most valuable resources. The Einsteins. the Iacoccas. the immigrants from all corners of the world. the Wangs. who choose to live here and enrich citizens immeasurably by their contributions. Not every immigrant is an Einstein. No. many are just courageous. hardworking individuals. The doorman who works at one door 8 to 4. goes across the street and works at another door 4 to 12. to build America. The nurse who works 9 to 5 at a hospital. caring for patients. goes home. takes care of her children. and then goes out on a night job to earn a little more money so that her children might be better provided for. Every story of an immigrant is the story of an American dream. My colleague from Texas had mentioned. why do we need more people when we have so many problems already? That is the reason we need more people. Immigrants do not cause problems. They help solve problems. Immigrants built this country. They bring citizens new vigor and new ideas. They contribute far more than the considerable benefits they get from becoming American citizens.