What does matter is that you subscribe to a few principles and that you learn a common language. Those are the most basic elements of the unity. this fragile and important unity that makes us the United States of America instead of just another United Nations. In anticipation of the immigration debate next week. I introduce today. along with Senators COCHRAN and CORNYN. what we call the Strengthening American Citizenship Act. It is an essential part of any immigration bill because it addresses what happens after one lawfully becomes a resident of this country and begins to think about lawfully becoming a citizen. This legislation will help legal immigrants who are prospective American citizens learn our common language and learn about our ways of government. I introduced this legislation last year. in the 109th Congress. when we considered an immigration bill. It had several cosponsors and it passed this body 91 to 1. It was an amendment to the Senate immigration bill. in April of 2006. I hope the Senate will agree again to make it a part of the bill. It might not make the most headlines. but it will make as much lasting difference in immigration legislation as possible. Here. in brief. is what the legislation would do. First. it would help prospective citizens learn English and it would do that in two ways. It would provide education grants of up to $500 for English courses for immigrants who declare their intent to become American citizens. They might use these grants of $500. for example. to go to any accredited agency such as "Fuentes." in Los Angeles. a place I happen to know about. which can do. for that amount of money. an excellent job of helping. in that case mostly Spanishspeaking citizens. learn also to speak English. So it is a $500 voucher. in effect. to help any lawful person learn English.
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