[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRASSLEY:
  S. 2289. A bill for the Relief of Jose Guadalupe Tellez Pinales; to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.


                          private relief bill

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I am introducing a private relief 
bill on behalf a constituent of mine, Jose Pinales.
  His family and friends call him Lupe, and a private relief bill is 
his only hope to avoid being separated from the people and the country 
he loves. Lupe was brought to the United States sixteen years ago, when 
he was two years old, by his uncle, Miguel Landeros. Mr. Landeros, now 
a U.S. citizen, never formally adopted Lupe. Not until recently did 
Lupe learn that he was not a U.S. citizen, when he tried to enlist in 
the United States Marines, to serve what he believed was his country.
  The United States is the only country Lupe knows. It's the country he 
loves, and wishes to serve. Lupe grew up reciting the pledge of 
allegiance to the United States along with the rest of the children in 
his class at Jefferson Elementary School. He is now a Senior at Fort 
Madison High School in Iowa, and works part-time as he prepares to 
graduate this spring. This young man has almost completed a milestone 
in his life and has a dream of joining the United States Marines upon 
graduation. It wasn't until Lupe sought to fulfill this dream did he 
learn that not only was he not a U.S. citizen, but he was in possible 
danger of being forced to go to Mexico, a country where the people and 
customs are foreign to him. He doesn't even speak the language.
  Faced with Lupe's plight, the generous people of Fort Madison have 
rallied together asking for our support in passing a private relief 
bill for him. My office has been inundated with letters and petitions 
from citizens imploring us to allow Lupe to fulfill his dream and serve 
our great nation and not be forced to a country he doesn't know.
  Lupe is a fine example of what an American citizen should be. His 
love and respect for his country are to be admired and rewarded. So, I 
ask you to join me and the citizens of Iowa, and allow Jose to serve 
his country by supporting this legislation.
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