[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 87 (Monday, July 10, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S6345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, each year the American Immigration 
Law Foundation and the American Immigration Lawyers Association sponsor 
a national writing contest on immigration. Thousands of fifth grade 
students across the country participate in the competition, answering 
the question, ``Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants.''
  In fact, ``A Nation of Immigrants'' was the title of a book that 
President Kennedy wrote in 1958, when he was a Senator. In this book, 
and throughout his life, he celebrated America's great heritage and 
history of immigration as a principal source of the nation's progress 
and achievements.
  As one of the judges of this year's contest, I was impressed by the 
quality of writing that was presented and the great pride of these 
students in America's immigrant heritage. Many of these essays told the 
story of their own family's immigration to the United States.
  The winner of this year's contest is Kaitlin Young, a fifth grader at 
St. Anne Elementary School in Warren, Michigan. She wrote about her 
diverse immigrant background and how this diversity enriches her life. 
Other students honored for their creative essays were Shayna Walton of 
Arizona, John Klaasen of Washington, Allison Paige Sigmon of North 
Carolina, and Christa Conway of Connecticut.
  I believe that these award winning essays from the ``Celebrate 
America'' contest will be of interest to all of us in the Senate, and I 
ask that they may be printed in the Record.
  The essays are as follow.

                            Immigration & Me

           (By Kaitlin Young, Warren, MI, grand prize winner)

     If it weren't for immigration, the diversity in me
     I might be a Who-not on my family tree.
     English, Irish, Dutch, American Indian too
     Italian ancestry in the mix, a family tree in bloom.

     America welcomed my ancestors-a promise to be free
     Ellis Island & the Statue of Liberty are symbols dear to me.
     Our country's promise, the freedom to worship here
     Practice our family customs and belief we hold dear.

     The promise of America rings throughout me
     The Torch of Freedom helped shape my family tree.
     My Grandmas and Grandpas are from here and there
     So when Mom married Dad, I came from everywhere.

     I eat different foods from across the world
     Irish stew, potatoes and pasta that is curled.
     Salmon steak, pot roast, and Dutch Apple pie
     Egg rolls, pizza, a menu diversified.

     Soccer, Bocce Ball, and Cricket too.
     Without immigration, you might not play the sports you do.
     Without immigration what would you hear?
     The same old sounds filling your ear.

     If it were not for immigration, what would we see?
     All the leaves the same on my family tree.
     That is why I am so happy for diversity,
     Because of Immigration--I am me!
                                  ____


             Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants

                (By Shayna Walton, Tucson, AZ, finalist)

     Hooray Hooray for the U.S.A.
     Life is good the American Way.

     Immigrants come from far and near
     To have a much better life right here.

     They come in hopes of a freer life.
     Sometimes they come to leave their strife.

     What a better place we have become
     because of all that immigrants have done.

     They've shared their different ways they cook
     and written many stories in a book.

     The unique styles that they wear--
     now you see them everywhere.

     They've brought us lots of delicious foods
     which certainly has improved our moods!

     They've created dances, songs and art
     Which has caused happiness in my heart.

     All the immigrants' different languages are so neat
     To learn them all would be quite a feat!

     In this country you can have your say
     You can give your opinion and talk all day!

     We are all immigrants in our own way--
     I'm so glad that we're all here to stay!
                                  ____


          Why I Am Glad That America Is A Nation Of Immigrants

                (By John Klaasen, Olympia, WA, finalist)

       Iceland
       Madagascar
       Mexico
       India
       Germany
       Russia
       Afghanistan
       Nepal
       Taiwan
       South Korea

       Oceania
       Finland

       Thailand
       Haiti
       Ecuador

       Uruguay
       New Zealand
       Indonesia
       Turkey
       Egypt
       Denmark

       Spain
       Tanzania
       Albania
       Togo
       Ethiopia
       Sri Lanka

       Oman
       France

       Algeria
       Mongolia
       Eritrea
       Romania
       Iraq
       Canada
       Argentina

       All
       Refugees
       Enter Looking for

       Freedom,
       Respect and
       Open arms into our
       Merry nation

       Asylum
       Legal residence and
       Liberty

       Offer
       Values,
       Education,
       Rights,

       Traditions,
       Honor and
       Equal treatment.

       We
       Offer
       Refugees
       Lasting
       Democracy.
                                  ____


            Why I Am Glad America Is A Nation of Immigrants

            (By Allison Paige Sigmon, Sparta, NC, finalist)

       Intelligence, inventions
       Movies, medicine, music, melting pot
       Medical breakthroughs, marketing
       Innovations, instruments (musical)
       Global diversity, gods, government
       Racial equality, restaurants, religion
       Ancestors, agriculture, architecture, artists
       News, Nobel Peace Prize, nationalities
       Teachers, theatre, trade, technology, transportation
       Space travel, sports, science

       All of these words are what I think immigrants have brought 
     to our country to make us a strong and powerful nation.
                                  ____


             Why I'm Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants

             (By Christa Conway, Manchester, CT, finalist)

     What do the people bring when they come to America's shores?
     What do the people bring on their boats rowing with oars?
     What do the people bring in their trunks, bags, and cases?
     What do the people bring?
     They bring a world of new faces.

     The first sight that they get of land, is like a cavern of 
           gold
     They see all brand new faces, all both young and old.
     They see the green fresh grass, or see the glittering snow,
     What do the immigrants see?
     They see a new world to know.

     What were the gifts they brought?
     They weren't gold, riches and powers!
     They brought just simply their culture,
     Which now we proclaim as ours.

     Music, festivals, stories,
     Which we can now enjoy.
     Everyone will enjoy it!!
     Every girl and every boy!!

     So why I'm glad America
     Is a nation of immigrants true,
     Is something that really matters,
     It matters to me and you.
     Immigrants are what make America whole,
     What makes it pure and unique.
     This melting pot of cultures,
     Will never spring a leak!!!

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