[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR TAM TRAN AND CINTHYA FELIX

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of two 
young graduate students, Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix, who both died in a 
tragic car accident on the 25th of May of 2010. They were 27 and 26 
years of age, respectively.
  Tam Tran was born in Germany to Vietnamese refugee parents and moved 
to the United States at the age of 6. Denied political asylum in the 
United States, unable to return to Vietnam for risk of political 
persecution, and refused entry to Germany, her immigration status was 
in limbo, but Tran proceeded to excel and graduate from Santiago High 
school in Garden Grove, California, and be admitted to the University 
of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). As an undergraduate and vocal 
supporter of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors 
(DREAM) Act, she joined Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success 
(IDEAS), a student organization that advocates for undocumented 
immigrant youth and students. Tran shared her story in congressional 
testimony, newspaper interviews, and events across the country. She 
eventually produced a collaborative student publication entitled, 
Underground Undergrads: UCLA Undocumented Immigrant Students Speak Out, 
an account of the struggle facing undocumented UCLA students and 
relevant legislation. She went on to become a Ph.D. candidate in 
American Civilization at Brown University.
  Cinthya Felix was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States 
at the age of 15. Despite a late start, she eventually graduated from 
Garfield High School in East Los Angeles at the top of her class and 
was admitted to UCLA in 2003. As an undocumented student, she conducted 
research on educational inequalities and was one of the founders of the 
student run organization IDEAS, where she worked with Tran. She 
graduated from UCLA in 2007 with a double major in English World 
Literature and Spanish Literature and was admitted to Masters in Public 
Health programs at Colombia University and the University of Michigan. 
Because of her undocumented status, Felix was unable to access 
financial aid and had to defer her admissions. With much determination, 
Felix spearheaded an online fundraising campaign and was able to 
matriculate at Colombia University a year later, becoming the first 
undocumented student in the history of the school's public health 
program. Her goal was to pursue medical school and to return home as a 
practicing physician to help underserved communities.
  Over three million students graduate from U.S. high schools every 
year. Most get the opportunity to continue on and live their American 
dream, but approximately 65,000 youth are denied this possibility 
because of their undocumented status. Tran and Felix were both 
outspoken advocates on this issue. The DREAM act can solve this 
injustice by allowing qualifying undocumented youth a conditional path 
to citizenship through the completion of a college degree or military 
service. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I 
recognize the needs of immigrants, especially those that concern our 
youth, and have long made comprehensive immigration reform one of our 
caucus' top priorities. Although Tran's and Felix's lives were 
tragically cut short, let us not forget their mission. Let us continue 
to work towards making the DREAM act a law.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow members to join me in remembering Tam 
Tran and Cinthya Felix. The adversity they faced and their stories of 
perseverance in achieving the American dream are an inspiration to 
every American student who wishes to pursue life's endeavors.

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