I have a number of fundamental concerns I hope the Senate will address in the days and perhaps weeks ahead. In his radio address of May 12. President Bush restated that comprehensive reform must "treat people with dignity." He said we must "honor the great American tradition of the melting pot" and that we must help immigrants "embrace our common identity as Americans." I agree with President Bush. I believe part of that common heritage is our welcoming of immigrants and families. America is a land in which families matter. in which our values call for us to provide not just for ourselves at the cost of severing family ties but for our families. As the Statue of Liberty proclaims. America is a country that welcomes the poor and those yearning to breathe free. not just the welleducated and those who already speak English. It welcomed my grandparents who did not speak English and were not wealthy. We never know who among those immigrating to our shores will turn out to be the next great military leader. the next great entrepreneur. the next great Inventor. the next to lift this Nation to greater heights. I want the bill we pass to recognize the best of America and our values and the best of our traditions as a land of immigrants. the land that brought my grandparents and my parentsinlaw to this country. 1 also want it to be practical and workable. The socalled triggers in the White House proposal do two things. First. they appear to put off implementation of most immigration reform to the next President and the next Congress. Somehow. I dont understand that. why we cant face up to it ourselves.
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immigrants immigrating immigration