[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H4968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           IMMIGRATION REFORM

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Buenos dias to our audience.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues in this body to stop 
blocking comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrants are our 
neighbors, our friends, our caretakers and fellow worshippers. They 
contribute more than $10 billion to our economy each year, and more 
than 35,000 immigrants are actively defending our Nation as members of 
the Armed Forces.
  More than 200 Medals of Honor have been given to immigrant 
servicemembers for their actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One hundred 
one non-U.S. citizens, like my constituent, Francisco Martinez Flores, 
died in military action September 11, 2001. He was a green card 
soldier.
  Just yesterday our Nation's top general, Marine General Peter Pace, 
defended immigrants, saying the first Marine he lost in combat in 
Vietnam was an immigrant soldier. And he said that he continues to be 
on active duty because he says he still owes those who served with him 
in Vietnam, regardless of their status.
  Immigrants, their families and families across the country deserve 
more than sham hearings and enforcement-only policies. Let's ask for a 
comprehensive immigration reform that takes care of all of our soldiers 
and all people defending our rights here in America.

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