[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 11 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO SGT. MANUEL BOJORQUEZ-PICO

  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
U.S. Sgt. Manuel Bojorquez-Pico of Alabama's Redstone Arsenal, on the 
day of his swearing-in ceremony as a U.S. citizen. A dedicated patriot 
and loyal protector of this country and its people, Sergeant Bojorquez 
is not only an inspiration and role model but a symbol of American 
democracy and freedom.
  Born in Mexico, Sergeant Bojorquez obtained permanent residency 
status while living in the United States as a child. For a short period 
of time he moved back to Mexico due to a family illness, but returned 
to the United States as an adult and applied to reactivate his 
permanent residency. It was granted and he enlisted in the Army. A few 
years later, the Board of Immigration Appeals reversed its decision and 
ordered Sergeant Bojorquez deported.
  For several years he filed motions and appeals, and in a final 
attempt to become a citizen of this country, Manuel contacted the 
President on July 12, 1994, and requested that he designate the Persian 
Gulf war a period of military hostility which would allow active duty 
aliens, such as himself, to apply for naturalization.
  Despite the concern, support, and assistance of Representative Cramer 
and myself, 2 weeks before Thanksgiving the District Director of the 
Immigration and Naturalization Service informed Manuel he would be 
deported on February 1, 1995. With little hope left, Manuel contacted 
the President again and finally his prayers were answered.
  Impressed by Manuel's commitment to serving his adopted country, the 
President passed an Executive order which not only allows Manuel to 
become a citizen, but also includes other active duty aliens who fought 
in the Persian Gulf war. This young, vibrant family man proved to us 
all that the American dream still lives.
  Manuel's selfless dedication to defending our country, which he could 
not call his own until today, is a superior example to all American 
citizens. I applaud him for his tireless efforts and I thank him for 
the reminder of how lucky we are to live in this great Nation.

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