[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 81 (Friday, June 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1180-E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FOURTH ANNUAL CITIZENSHIP DAY EVENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 1998

  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, June 13, my staff and I hosted our Fourth 
Annual Citizenship Day Event. This is a one-stop application processing 
opportunity for residents who wish to become U.S. citizens.
  With the help of local volunteers, elected officials, and community-
based organizations, we were able to help 350 residents take their 
first step to becoming a U.S. citizen.
  The Citizenship Day process consisted of completing INS forms, taking 
photographs, and having attorneys and INS representatives review the 
application. Upon completing this process, the application is 
photocopied for the applicant and immediately mailed to INS.

[[Page E1181]]

  Every year, I am amazed at the number of people who attend this 
event. While some of us to tend to take for granted that we live in a 
great a country, others wait in line all night long simply to submit an 
application to become a U.S. citizen.
  Although an event like this takes many months of coordinating and 
planning, the rewards are remarkable. Not only does it provide a 
service to our community, but it also increases awareness among legal 
residents about the importance of becoming a citizen. Moreover, it's 
encouraging to see volunteers return every year to contribute their 
time and effort.
  I am extremely thankful of the following volunteers, groups and 
organizations who assisted in making this event possible: Houston 
Community College--Northeast Campus, Harris County Constable Victor 
Trevino, Immigration and Naturalization Service, United States Postal 
Service, Houston Industries, League of United Latin American Citizens, 
National Association of Latino Elected Officials, Hispanic Women in 
Leadership, Rio Posada Restaurant, Fiesta Mart, Inc., Hispanic 
Organization of Postal Employees, Houston Coca Cola Bottling Co., Pizza 
Hut, Chase Bank, Telemundo--Channel 48, Univision--Channel 45, College 
Democrats @ University of Houston, Quan, Burdette & Perez, Attorneys at 
Law, Esther Alaniz, Alicia Almendariz, David Airhart, Artie Blanco, 
Delia Barajas, Debra Barnes, Yasmine Cadena, Mary Closner, Mitchell 
Contreras, Romero Cruz, Hector De Leon, Anselmo Davila, Armando 
Entenza, Arthur Flores, Charles Flores, Dr. Margaret Ford, Celia 
Garcia, Cyndi Garza, Juan Garcia, Rosa Garcia, Reynaldo Garza, Victor 
Gonzalez, Juana Gonzalez, Priscilla Gonzalez, Manuel Gonzalez, Mary 
Guerrero, Rebecca Guerrero, Joe Granados, Ben D. Huynh, Ana Maria 
Lopez, Dorothy Ledezma, Alfred Martinez, John Martinez, Benny Martinez, 
Margaret Mata, Edward Melendez, Josephine Mendoza, John Meyer, Diana 
Morales, Sally Morin, Mercedes Nassar, Janie Munoz, Frances Munoz, Art 
Murillo, Ana Nunez, Sandra M. Orellana, Juan Padilla, Cesar De Paz, 
Richard Perez, Candy Perez, Andre Rodriguez, Jesse P. Ramirez, 
Francisco Rodriquez, Mayor Cipriano Romero, Juana Rosales, Rosa Ruelas, 
Yeannett Salazar, Thomas Sanchez, Olga Soliz, Diana Trevino, Marco 
Torres, Vera Vasquez, Suzanne Villareal, Patricia Valdez, Ralph 
Vazquez, and Shahid Waheed.

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