[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO GRANT CITIZENSHIP TO SOLDIERS OF 
                        OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call to the attention of my 
colleagues a bill that would extend automatic citizenship to those 
immigrant soldiers who have served our country during Operation Iraqi 
Freedom.
  I introduce this bill in honor of soldiers like Sgt. Riayan Tejeda of 
Washington Heights, who laid down their lives so that all of the people 
of the United States, regardless of immigration status, could continue 
to enjoy the freedoms that our Constitution lays out. To uphold and 
protect a Constitution that this august body continues to perfect 
through legislation and debate.
  The Riayan Tejeda Memorial Act of 2003 goes beyond current 
congressional efforts by granting citizenship to all servicemembers 
that request naturalization and have served in a combat zone designated 
as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It ensures that not only spouses 
and unmarried children, but also parents of soldiers killed as a result 
of service in the U.S. military, can apply for citizenship or 
legalization of status beyond the death of that servicemember. It 
allows undocumented spouses, dependents and parents of servicemembers 
to stay in the country while they are legalizing their status. Finally, 
this bill honors our current and fallen soldiers for their service by 
prioritizing the naturalization applications of servicemembers and 
their families.
  No one in this country who works hard and abides by the just laws of 
this country should have to die to receive the citizenship that they 
crave and deserve. For men and women who decide to don the uniform of 
the armed forces, their actions on the battlefield should be enough to 
prove their allegiance and dedication to this land and our families.

                          ____________________