[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION OF IMMIGRATION REFORM, CONSTITUTION DAY, CITIZENSHIP DAY, 
                         AND CONSTITUTION WEEK

  (Mr. HONDA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank my colleague, 
Congressman Cardenas, for bringing everyone together to support 
immigration reform and in recognition of Constitution Day, Citizenship 
Day, and Constitution Week.
  From Angel Island to Ellis Island, from our northern to southern 
borders, from the fertile earth of Steinbeck country, to innovation's 
epicenter of Silicon Valley, immigration issues and immigrants have 
touched every corner and facet of our Nation.
  As the Representative of California's 17th District, I have witnessed 
how this immigrant spirit is the entrepreneur's spirit. In fact, 40 
percent of the largest U.S. companies have been founded by immigrants 
or their children.
  In Silicon Valley, between 1995 and 2005, more than half of all the 
major technology and engineering firms were founded by an immigrant.
  People come to our shores with different dreams, aspirations, and 
needs. We must support stronger provisions for those guest workers who 
toil the earth and harvest food for our dinner tables. We must support 
students who come to this country seeking top education and then allow 
them to kindle their entrepreneurial spark into our economy.
  We must support high-skilled immigrants, as well as their families, 
who will strengthen our talented workforce. We must never turn our 
backs on our married children and siblings just because they are above 
a certain age.

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