[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 140 (Tuesday, October 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IMMIGRANT WORKERS FREEDOM RIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 7, 2003

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on October 1, 2003, 
the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride arrived to Washington, DC. I welcome 
and salute the Immigrant Workers Freedom Riders.
  Inspired by the 1961 freedom rides that sought to integrate bus 
terminals in the South, today's riders are visiting cities and towns 
across the country. They are raising awareness about the plight of 
immigrant workers and advocating for comprehensive change to our 
immigration system. Like Dr. Martin Luther King, these Americans, 
refuse to believe and I quote, ``there are insufficient funds in the 
great vaults of opportunity in this great nation.''
  Let me share the story of one of those Americans. Salvador Guillen is 
the proud leader of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees 
International Union (HERE) Local 681. He is a father of three children 
and has worked as a housekeeper at Disneyland's Paradise Pier Hotel for 
over 15 years. Salvador was born in Zamora, Michoacan, and has lived in 
the United States for 18 years. He is now a proud citizen of the United 
States.
  In his own words, Salvador states:

       I want workers like my two sisters who have not been able 
     to legalize and who are forced to work jobs where they are 
     abused, overworked, and underpaid to have the same 
     opportunity.
       I don't want my two sisters to suffer anymore like the time 
     when our father was very sick. I remember they cried every 
     night because they could not see him. Our father recovered, 
     but to this day they still have not seen him since they left 
     Mexico years ago.
       I want all immigrants who work everyday and pay taxes to 
     have the same opportunity I had for a better life, that is 
     why I took time off my work, without pay, to ride across our 
     country in support of immigration reform.

  Salvador's journey exemplifies our democratic principles that all men 
and women are guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and 
the pursuit of happiness. May God bless all riders for embarking on 
this courageous and noble journey. I wish them all the best in New York 
City.
  Together, we can implement sensible immigration policies that bring 
all immigrants one-step closer to the American Dream. For my part, I 
will continue to fight to defend our democratic values and make justice 
a reality for all of God's children. Juntos, podemos promover leyes mas 
justas de inmigracion, que ayuden a todos los inmigrantes en su lucha 
por conseguir el Sueno Americano.

                          ____________________