[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANTS

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, Congress came back this week from celebrating 
our Nation's Independence Day. This is a special time to reflect on 
America's difficult history and the true essence of what she stands 
for. Since the beginning, America has thrived on the contributions of 
its immigrant labor force. Sadly today, the positive contributions of 
the immigrant labor force to our society are too often unnoticed.
  Hardworking families contribute daily and pay their share into the 
American system. Hardworking mothers sometimes work three jobs, give up 
their weekends, and take overtime and night shifts to feed and clothe 
their children. Hardworking fathers wake up at 4 a.m. to go to work, 
earn below minimum wages, and manage to provide for their families.
  Immigrants contribute in taxes from their paychecks just like the 
next person through shopping at a variety of stores, restaurants, and 
gas stations. In fact, the IRS reported that between 1996 to 2003, 
immigrants contributed $50 billion in Federal taxes.
  We cannot afford to ignore the figures, and more importantly, we 
cannot afford to ignore the positive contributions of immigrants in 
America. We need comprehensive immigration for the security of our 
Nation.

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