[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    INTRODUCTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDING THAT 
   FOREIGN-BORN CITIZENS OF 20 YEARS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE OFFICE OF 
                               PRESIDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a proposed amendment 
to the Constitution of the United States that will enable all citizens 
of this country to be eligible to hold the Office of President. No 
citizen should be denied the opportunity to seek the nation's highest 
office. The proposal that I am introducing will allow foreign-born 
individuals who have been citizens of this country for at least 20 
years to be eligible for this office.
  As you know, Article II of the Constitution of the United States 
provides that only natural-born citizens are entitled to hold the 
Office of President. I believe that this limitation contradicts the 
principles for which this country stands. This nation prides itself on 
its diversity of culture, experience, and opinion. This quality is 
achieved only by welcoming immigrants to this country, allowing them to 
become citizens, and enabling them to make full contributions to 
society.
  For the most part, the United States treats its citizens, those 
natural-born and foreign-born, the same. However, when determining who 
is eligible for the Office of President, this country unfairly 
distinguishes between the two. Allowing the United States to be a 
better country because of the contributions that foreign-born citizens 
make, and then not allowing them to fully participate in all aspects of 
society, is un-American.
  As you may also know, some of our country's foreign-born citizens are 
our country's greatest public servants. There are also 700 foreign-born 
citizens who have received the Medal of Honor. It is unjust to deny 
citizens that have risked their lives for this country the chance to 
become President of the United States as well. A 2002 Pentagon study 
reports that more than 30,000 foreign-born citizens are currently 
serving in the U.S. military.
  I realize that constitutional amendments are rare and that those 
proposed should be subject to great scrutiny. I truly respect one of 
the documents on which our country was founded, the Constitution of the 
United States. Therefore, it is after great consideration and with the 
utmost gravity, that I introduce this proposal today. I am hopeful that 
my fellow colleagues in Congress will properly consider the proposed 
amendment and realize that every citizen of the United States should be 
entitled to dream of becoming President.

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