Speech #1100054995

Mr. Speaker. tonight I stand here today to honor the contribution of immigrants that have been made to our Nation. particularly defending our Nation in support of comprehensive immigration reform. We need effective legislation that strikes the right balance between national security and reforming our current immigration system. This should include a path to permanency for millions of law abiding and tax paying immigrants who call the United States their home. Its my hope that the Senate finalizes debating their immigration reform bill. and that our Chamber continues to work to adopt legislation that will truly reform the system and enhance our Nations security. Immigrant families are an important part of our social fabric and our economy. Undocumented workers. you may not know. contribute as much as $7 billion a year in Social Security into our system and $1.5 billion in Medicare every year. yet do not collect those benefits. Immigrants. you may know. play an important role in defending our Nation. In all of our wars throughout our history. immigrants have fought side by side and have given their lives to defending Americas freedoms and ideals. Twenty percent of the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. the highest honor that our Nation bestows on our war heroes. has been granted to sons and daughters of immigrants. Their bravery is proof that immigrants are as willing as any other Americans to defend our countrys freedom. and their service is no less important and valuable because of their immigrant status. For example. as of May 2006. 33.449 noncitizens served in our Armed Forces. and more than 26.000 Servicemembers have become U.S. citizens since the Iraq war began. and 75 servicemembers received posthumous citizenship. Immigrants make up 5 percent of all enlisted personnel on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. and immigrants continue to demonstrate that they are a part of this country through their service in the military. Without the contribution of immigrants the military. as we know it today. could not meet its own recruiting goals. Without the assistance of immigrants. the military could not fill the need for foreign language translators. interpreters and cultural experts. Immigrants provide unique incredibly valuable contributions to the military. and its critical that we continue to recognize and appreciate their efforts and that of their families. In the district I represent in California. weve unfortunately suffered several casualties. including that of immigrant servicemembers who gave their lives for our country. One is the fallen Marine Lance Corporal Francisco Martinez Flores who died while serving overseas in Iraq. At the age of 21. and only 2 weeks away from gaining U.S. citizenship.