[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 95 (Thursday, June 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2019

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following 
letter in support of H.R. 6, The American Dream and Promise Act of 
2019.
                                             Association of Jesuit


                               Colleges & Universities (AJCU),

                                                     May 31, 2019.
     Hon. Henry Cuellar,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Cuellar: I write to you, an alum of one 
     of our nation's Jesuit colleges and universities, in support 
     of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, as it was 
     amended by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month. 
     This is important legislation that clearly reflects the 
     values of Jesuit institutions across the country.
       The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) 
     stated in 2016:
       ``Grounded in our Catholic and Jesuit mission, we are 
     guided by our commitment to uphold the dignity of every 
     person, to work for the common good of our nation, and to 
     promote a living faith that works for justice. We see our 
     work of teaching, scholarship and the formation of minds and 
     spirits as a sacred trust.
       That calls us to labor for solidarity among all people, and 
     especially with and for the poor and marginalized in our 
     society. That trust calls us to embrace the entire human 
     family, regardless of their immigration status or religious 
     allegiance. And experience has shown us that our communities 
     are immeasurably enriched by the presence, intelligence and 
     contributions of undocumented students, as well as of faculty 
     and staff of every color and from every faith tradition.''
       That statement went on to reaffirm our commitment to the 
     Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. 
     Likewise, its principles lead us to strongly support passage 
     of H.R. 6, which would finally provide lawful permanent 
     resident status, and a pathway toward citizenship for the 
     Dreamers who are very much a part of Jesuit campus 
     communities across the nation. The presence of those young 
     people on our campuses has enabled us to come to know and 
     admire them. They have long considered the United States 
     their home and, in fact, many of them have hardly any 
     recollections of the countries where they were born. These 
     individuals are pursuing or have successfully completed at 
     least two years of higher education, served in our military 
     or been steadily employed.
       Simply put, we cannot imagine not wanting these individuals 
     to remain a part of our country. Under provisions of H.R. 6, 
     those who qualify for the program cannot have committed a 
     felony or other serious crimes and can pose no threat to 
     national security or public safety. These individuals are 
     contributing to our society and our economy. They work and 
     pay taxes. Indeed, they have lived their lives as Americans, 
     but with the exception of having the legal status that they 
     well deserve. For too long, they have had to live with 
     uncertainty. With your help, by voting for H.R. 6, Congress 
     will have taken a major step to remedy that situation.
           Sincerely,

                                     Michael J. Sheeran, S.J.,

                                  President, Association of Jesuit
     Colleges and Universities.

                          ____________________