[Congressional Record: November 14, 2007 (House)]
[Page H13866]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr14no07-106]

IMMIGRATION

(Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mrs. NAPOLITANO: Madam Speaker, since 1886 immigrants to the United States have passed the Statue of Liberty, which has inscribed, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.'' Why is it that now, when those huddled masses happen to be brown, the golden door of freedom is being slammed shut?
Immigrants contribute to the economy. They are free thinkers. They
are hard-driven workers who strive for success, not only for themselves
and their community but for their families. They come to this country
because America is a beacon of hope for them. They are looking for a
better life, just like every immigrant since the Pilgrims landed at
Plymouth Rock.
So why do some amongst us feel it necessary to place every obstacle
possible in their path, to launch bigoted assaults on them, to wrongly
blame those who work the hardest at the worst jobs for the ills of all
of our society?
Immigrants are the history of the United States. They are our past,
they are our present, and I must not rest until we recognize they are
part of the future of this great country.

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[Congressional Record: November 15, 2007 (House)]
[Page H13962]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr15no07-133]

IMMIGRATION

(Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot of hateful rhetoric
surrounding the immigration debate on this floor. Some of my colleagues
stand here and compare immigrants to terrorists and say that immigrants
are lazy and are looking for a free ride, when in fact they have made
many contributions to this country, positive contributions.
Let me tell you about an honorable immigrant family from Rialto.
Corporal Jorge Gonzalez was one of the first soldiers who made the
ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, and I say in Iraq, for this country. The
wife and infant son were left behind to apply for special permission
just so that their United States flag could be draped over his coffin.
Jorge was willing to die to protect this country, willing to die to
protect this country; but since he was an immigrant, there are some in
this body who would call him a criminal. Immigrants are not criminals.
They are soldiers. They are our friends. They are our students. They
are our doctors.
It is time for Congress to recognize what is right. Stop this hateful
rhetoric, stop the lies. Honor the sacrifices made by men like Jorge.
Lord, help us understand and pass real immigration.

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[Congressional Record: November 14, 2007 (House)]
[Page H13864]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr14no07-91]

OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY

(Mr. GUTIERREZ asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, more than 21,000 foreign-born men and
women currently serve on active duty, willing to die in defense of our
Nation. U.S. Navy Second Class Petty Officer Eduardo Gonzalez is one of
these brave men, a naturalized U.S. citizen who has served two tours in
the gulf region. Despite his valiant service, Eduardo Gonzalez faces
the deportation of his wife Mildred. At age 5, she was brought here
from Guatemala. Now, in addition to confronting enemies from abroad,
Gonzalez must confront a threat at home, losing the wife and mother of
their 2-year-old child.
In his testimony before the Immigration Subcommittee, Gonzalez
stated: As a citizen of the United States of America, it makes me
wonder, if I can die for my country, then why am I not allowed to just
be with my family?
Like Petty Officer Gonzalez, immigrant soldiers fight with vigor and
valor to protect the American Dream. All of those who serve, regardless
of country of origin, are recognized as American heroes. As heroes,
they deserve an immigration policy worthy of their sacrifices and
nothing less.

Rec'd from FAIR in Legislative Update via email

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To Napolitano I say, DO NOT INSULT OUR FORBEARS WHO CAME HERE LEGALLY, ASSIMILATED, AND HELPED AMERICA GROW, WITH THE CURRENT CROP OF ILLEGAL ALIENS WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT TEAR THIS COUNTRY DOWN.

To Baca and Gutierrez I say, these men are/were serving in the military TO GAIN CITIZENSHIP. And IF IN THE MILITARY, they WERE NOT HERE ILLEGALLY. We thank ALL who serve the country, DO NOT DIRTY THE SERVICE OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS BY LUMPING THEM IN WITH ILLEGAL ALIENS.