Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my continued
disappointment with President Trump's anti-immigrant stance, especially
based on his joint session remarks last night. I admit I was very honored to attend my first joint session as a
Member of Congress, but as a Member of Congress, as an American, and as
a grandson of an Italian immigrant, I was disheartened that the
President doubled down on his divisive and dangerous rhetoric against
immigrants and continued to create fear by focusing on the worst in
people. Before I came to Congress, I was a prosecutor. I understand and
believe that those who commit serious and violent felonies should be
prosecuted and deported. But I also grew up on the central coast of
California, and I realize and appreciate how much immigrants contribute
to our community. That is why I want to ask President Trump to come down from his gold
tower, come out of the White House, and come to the green and fertile
Salinas, San Juan, and Pajaro Valleys. He will see that immigrants are
the reason why my district is called the salad bowl of the world. He
will see that immigrants are the cornerstone, the foundation not only
of that economy, not only of that community, but of our country.
Keywords matched
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