[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7324-S7325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             THE DREAM ACT

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, one of the many values that make America 
so great is that no matter where we start off from in life we believe 
that we all deserve to have a shot at the American dream.
  We all deserve an opportunity to work hard, support our families, and 
give back to the Nation that has been there for us all of our lives.
  This is an American value I cherish. It is one I feel very strongly 
we ought to maintain and strengthen. And it is why I stand here today 
to talk about the DREAM Act, which would help us do exactly that.
  The amendment we proposed was a narrowly tailored piece of 
legislation that was developed with Democrats and Republicans working 
together.
  And I was extremely disappointed that Senate Republicans refused to 
even allow us to begin debate on this critical issue.
  The DREAM Act would give a select group of undocumented students the 
chance to become permanent residents if they came to this country as 
children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and 
attend college for at least 2 years or enlist in the military.
  Under this bill, tens of thousands of well-qualified potential 
recruits would become eligible for military service for the first time.
  These are young people who love our country and are eager to serve in 
the Armed Forces during a time of war.
  And the DREAM Act would add a very strong incentive for them to 
enlist by providing a path to permanent legal status.
  It would also make qualified students eligible for temporary legal 
immigration status upon high school graduation, which would lead to 
permanent residency if they attend college.
  And most importantly, it would allow the young people who want to 
give back to America an opportunity to do so.
  This is about our values as a nation.
  But it is also about real communities. And real people in my home 
State of Washington and across the country.
  I want to share a few stories I have heard that demonstrate why the 
DREAM Act is so critical.
  I got a letter from a young man named Carlos, who was brought to the 
United States when he was just 2 years old.
  Carlos' mom went to work every day to provide for her son, but she 
never told him that he was undocumented.
  It was only when he wanted to go overseas on a school community 
service trip that he found out.
  Carlos excelled academically and helped his family out with money by 
selling hot dogs after school.
  And by the end of high school, he was student body vice president and 
had received a scholarship to attend the University of Washington, 
where he is scheduled to start this year.
  Carlos is going to continue selling hot dogs to pay for textbooks, 
and his dream is to go to law school and become a civil rights lawyer 
when he graduates.
  I also heard from Judith, from Tacoma, another undocumented 
immigrant.
  Judith recently graduated from high school and she told me that she 
dreams of joining the Navy and serving her country.
  And I heard from Luis, a junior at Whitworth University in Washington 
State.
  Luis is excelling at school, but because he is undocumented he has 
been unable to apply for work-study programs, internships, or federally 
funded scholarships.
  He told me he wants to graduate and give back to the community by 
working with young people. That is his dream, but he is afraid that his 
status will prevent him from achieving that goal.
  Luis told me he lives in fear of being deported, that the United 
States is his home, and that he wants nothing more than to be given a 
shot at the American dream.
  The only way that can happen, the only way any of these young people 
can get that shot, is if we pass the DREAM Act.
  The stories I told here today are of just three of the young people 
whose lives this affects, but I have received hundreds of stories just 
like theirs.
  And this issue touches so many more across the country.
  The amendment we proposed would have allowed us to take a first step 
toward fixing an immigration system that is clearly broken with real 
solutions that will help real people.
  And for me, this is not just about immigration, it is about what type 
of country we want to be.
  America has long been a beacon of hope for people across the world.
  And I believe that to keep that beacon bright we need to make sure 
young people like Carlos, Judith, and Luis are given a shot at the 
American dream.
  The dream that was there for me, that is there for my children and 
grandchild, and that is there for millions of others across this great 
country.
  So once again, I am extremely disappointed that Senate Republicans 
blocked our attempt to begin debate on the legislation this amendment 
was attached to.
  I am going to keep fighting for the DREAM Act.
  And I am going to keep working toward comprehensive immigration 
reform that helps our economy, affords

[[Page S7325]]

the opportunities we have offered to generations of immigrants, 
maintains those great American values that I hold so dear, and improves 
our security.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, are we in morning business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, we are.

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