In addition. the legislation would set up the New Americans Initiative. This would establish a grant program to fund the work of communitybased organizations to promote and increase citizenship opportunities through application assistance. outreach and community education. and English and citizenship classes. We have seen a version of this project thrive in Illinois under the leadership of Governor Blagojevich and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Madam Speaker. let me close with this point. President Theodore Roosevelt once said: "Americanism is a question of principle. of purpose. of idealism. of character. It is not a matter of birthplace or creed or line of descent." Lets work to ensure that those who possess the principle. the purpose. the idealism and the character of America can earn the chance to achieve the American Dream. And lets ensure that they are not priced out of the process. Lets work to ensure that they can continue to build and better our great nation. as immigrants have done for generations. Lets work to ensure that hard working men and women can fully share in the rights that citizens enjoy and can also help shoulder the enormous responsibilities that come with this incredible opportunity.
Keywords matched
Refugee immigrants Immigrant