Speech #1140034933

Mr. Speaker. I rise to commemorate Immigrant Heritage Month and salute the contributions of immigrants to the never ending glory and story of America. I stand in solidarity with our immigrant soldiers who have fought to defend and extend our freedoms from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific. in the deserts of Africa and the jungles of Asia. to the seas of the Persian Gulf. I stand in solidarity with our immigrant innovators and entrepreneurs who make up over 40 percent of the CEO of the Fortune 500 companies. which employ over 3 million of our fellow citizens. And I stand in solidarity with the children of our immigrants who will be an integral part of our nations future achievements. This is why I have consistently introduced legislation such as H.R. 1525. "Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2013." which sets forth a comprehensive and humane solution to immigrant reform. This legislation works to secure our borders and brings close to 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadows of society through earned access to legalization. Our country has made progress because of the work and determination of immigrants and we owe it to them and ourselves to maintain a system that allows immigrants to prosper within our borders through approved legal processes. In 1884 a Serbian immigrant name Nikola Tesla worked with American innovator Thomas Edison and would later contribute to the development of the alternatingcurrent electrical system. A son of an immigrant slave. Benjamin Banneker would grow up to be a scientist. surveyor. and author. these pioneers of their fields have helped advance the American economy through innovation. We are a more prosperous nation because of the contributions from immigrants who helped build this country. but we have not done enough. President Obama has used his executive powers to provide more resources for border security. modernizing the legal immigration system for workers. employers. and students. and focusing enforcement on the real threats to security. Although more remains to be done to realize the full promise of the America dream for many immigrants. we continue to fight for those who are already contributing members of their communities to ensure there is a safe and legal path to the ultimate goal of full citizenship. The unity of families is an essential American value and should be one of the fundamentals of immigration reform. along with increasing the diversity of immigration from parts of the world that have been historically underrepresented such as the Caribbean. Africa. and Haiti. Mr. Speaker. my district is home to the most racially and ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the nation. and as a result I celebrate our immigrant leaders such as Texas Representative Hubert Vo. born in South Vietnam. graduate of the University of Houston. and now public servant for the people of District I celebrate Joseph Pulitzer a Hungarian immigrant soldier who served in the Civil War under the Union Army whose contributions would leave a legacy of literary excellence. Hakeem Olajuwon a Nigerian native and celebrated athlete of Houston who led the Houston Rockets to the NBA championship in 1994 and 1995. and the countless others who have made significant impacts that have advanced our nation. Mr. Speaker. I am proud to acknowledge the achievements of just a few of the countless Americans who have braved the seas and sands to build a new life in America and enrich the cultural tapestry of the greatest nation on earth. I recognize that our nation would not enjoy the freedoms we have today without the dedication and hard work of our immigrant ancestors and we owe it to them to work on a more comprehensive immigration reform.