[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 161 (Wednesday, December 8, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE AMERICAN DREAM ACT

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                          HON. RUBEN HINOJOSA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2010

  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly urge my 
colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to vote for the American Dream 
Act. This legislation provides conditional nonimmigrant status to young 
individuals of college age who are eager to contribute to our nation's 
workforce, economy, and Armed Forces.
  I personally want to thank the Coalition for Educational Opportunity 
at the University of Texas--Pan American, and the thousands of 
students, civil rights groups, and prominent education, business, and 
religious leaders who have fought tirelessly to pass the DREAM Act. In 
my congressional district, I want to recognize Alex Garrido and Dora 
Martinez, two courageous UTPA college students, who fasted for one week 
to express their support for the DREAM Act.
  I am extremely grateful to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, 
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the former Secretary of State Colin 
Powell, Carlos Gutierrez, former Secretary of Commerce, and many 
chancellors and many university presidents for underscoring the urgency 
of passing the DREAM Act.
  As Subcommittee chairman for Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and 
Competitiveness, I believe that our nation should encourage all 
students to succeed in school, particularly those students who are 
working hard and serving as role models to their peers. In the Rio 
Grande Valley of deep South Texas and across the country, DREAM act 
students are exceptional young men and women. Despite facing difficult 
circumstances, these students have excelled in school, and become 
valedictorians, AP scholars, and distinguished student leaders.
  Our nation cannot afford to turn away these talented youth. In order 
to remain competitive in the global economy, our country must train a 
new generation of highly skilled STEM professionals--scientists, 
engineers, and mathematicians--to bolster scientific discovery and spur 
the technological innovation that our nation desperately needs. Above 
all, these students will help our nation meet its college completion 
goals.
  Our Armed Forces need courageous service men and women to ensure our 
Nation's military readiness. Our schools need great teachers to help us 
close the achievement gap.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for the DREAM Act and give these 
deserving students a chance to make meaningful contributions to our 
Nation's workforce, economy, military and civic life.

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