Speech #1090122704

As a member of the California Assembly. I authored the first bill to allow instate tuition for outstanding California students. Immigrant families are an important part of our social fabric and our economy. Undocumented workers contribute as much as $7 billion a year into the Social Security system yet do not collect benefits. They fill an increasing share of jobs in laborscarce regions and fill the types of jobs native workers often shun. Immigrants and their families serve and sacrifice as members of our Nations Armed Forces. There are more than 35.000 people defending our Nation who are not U.S. citizens. and another 28.806 members of the military who have become U.S. citizens since the events of 911. Since September 11. 73 servicemembers have been granted posthumous citizenship. One of them. Francisco Martinez Flores of Duarte. was a constituent of mine. Their sacrifice is no less important to our country because of their immigration status. Undocumented immigrants are our neighbors. coworkers. fellow worshipers. and friends. Many of them want to stay in America and become fullfledged members of our society. President Bush said "Immigration is an important topic. . . . We need to maintain our perspective. . . . At its core. immigration is a sign of a confident and successful nation." I hope the Senate keeps this in mind and does not let itself be influenced by the demagogues in our media and in Congress. As the proud daughter of immigrants. I value Americas history of treasuring the contributions that immigrants have made to America. For generations. immigrants all over the World have been welcomed by the Statue of Libertys message: "Give me your tired. your poor. your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . . ." We should not forget that our ancestors struggled and yearned for the American dream as much as immigrants do today. Today. I was pleased to join the Progressive Caucus in sending a letter to the Senate asking for real and comprehensive immigration reform. I urge my colleagues to adopt legislation which provides a real solution for our broken immigration system and reject enforcementonly proposals.