[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 1588, NATIONAL DEFENSE 
                 AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the motion to instruct 
conferees offered by my dear friend and colleague, and fellow member of 
the Armed Services Committee, the Chairman of the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus, Ciro Rodriguez.
  This motion instructs the conferees on the Defense Authorization bill 
to adopt provisions that were overwhelmingly approved by the House when 
it passed the Armed Forces Naturalization Act earlier this year. These 
provisions would remove administrative and financial barriers to 
obtaining citizenship by those non-citizens who are risking their lives 
to defend of our Nation. Thirty-seven thousand legal permanent 
residents currently serve in our armed forces, and their service 
deserves to be recognized.
  The Rodriguez motion also recognizes the important supportive role 
that family plays and calls for inclusion of measures to ensure that 
when their loved ones die in the line of duty, family members will not 
suffer even more by having their immigration status placed in jeopardy.
  After every major conflict in the past 100 years, we have granted 
citizenship to thousands of immigrants who fought wearing the U.S. 
uniform. Let us do the right thing and act now to continue the American 
tradition of honoring those who have proven their loyalty to our 
country on the battlefield. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of 
the Rodriguez motion to instruct.

                          ____________________