[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21] [Senate] [Pages 30000-30001] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IMMIGRATION ESSAY CONTEST Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, each year, the American Immigration Law Foundation and the American Immigration Lawyers Association sponsor a national writing contest on immigration. Thousands of fifth grade students across the country participate in the competition, answering the question, ``Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants.'' In fact, ``A Nation of Immigrants'' was the title of a book that my brother President Kennedy wrote in 1958 at a time when he was a Senator. All his life, he took pride in America's great heritage and history of immigration. As one of the judges of this year's contest, I was immensely impressed with the quality of the students' writing and the pride of the students in America's immigrant heritage. Many of the students told the story of their own family's immigration to the United States. The winner of this year's contest is Crystal Uvalle, a fifth grader from Pennsylvania. She wrote about her father's immigrant background and how he came to America 20 years ago. Other students honored for the high quality of their essays were Leif Holmstrand and Eugene Yakubov of Chicago, Samantha Huber of Fredonia, Wisconsin, Alexa Lash of Miami, and Daniel Rocha of Media, Pennsylvania. Mr. President, I believe these award winning essays from the ``Celebrate America'' essay contest will be of interest to all of us in the Senate, and I ask that they be printed in the Record. The essays follow: Why I am Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants (By Crystal Uvalle, Grand Prize Winner) It was about 20 years ago, A man come here from Mexico. He sought a better way to live, And found he had a lot to give. He didn't speak a word of English, So he took a job busing dishes. To learn his new country's ways, He worked and studied everyday. He made Dallas his new home, And before he knew it he was in the know. He worked his way up in that restaurant, And a lady there, his eye she caught. She was a native of another state, And he asked her out on a date. She liked pierogies and roast beef, He liked tamales and spicy meat. It didn't take long, they were in love, Then God sent them a baby from heaven above. I'm so happy for them you see, That man and woman and I make three. I'm so happy America let him in, He's my father and my friend. I love you Daddy! ____ America, America--They Came To Be Free (By Leif Holmstrand, Chicago, Illinois) I dedicate this song to my Farfar (father's father), who came to America from Sweden In 1920. His boat arrived in New York, at Ellis Island, where he spent some time. He told my father stories about his trip: friends dying of tuberculosis, lice, over crowding. He went to Nebraska to try farming, but finally settled in Chicago, where he was a fine painter and woodworker. America, the land of the free; The immigrants made it strong with their diversity First, from England, came the Pilgrims, to worship as they pleased, Next came the Germans, Irish, the French, the Swedes. The Finns, the Danes, the Polish and Portuguese, The Welsh, the Dutch, the Scots and the Chinese America, America, they came to be free, The immigrants made it strong with their diversity As indentured servants looking for opportunity, Stolen from West Africa as slaves without liberty, They came for land, they came for gold. From tyranny, War and famine, they fled to this country. America, America, they came to be free; The immigrants made it strong with their diversity. A dangerous, relentless journey across the sea, The immigrants landed at Ellis Island wanting to be free. They worked in mines and factories, on farm and railroad, Men, women, children, they carried a heavy America, America the land of the free, The immigrants made it strong with diversity. The IMMIGRANTS made it what it's come to be: The U.S.A.--proud and free America, America, the land of the free, The immigrants made it strong with their diversity. Mexico, Korea, Bosnia, the Sudan From Haiti, the Honduras, Afghanistan. They're still coming from many other lands, They come to America, they want this country: America, America, from sea to shining sea, America, America, the immigrants' country. America, America, the land of the free. ____ Why I am Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants (By Samantha Huber, Fredonia, Wisconsin) Africans, coming to America on slave ships Whipped and beaten No choice French, looking for gold and other treasures Claiming land that was not up for sale Indentured servants, looking for a new life Finding it America A nation of immigrants Spain, France, Mexico, England, Africa condensed into one Freedom, education, equality, and justice for all Diversity, teaching us tolerance Variety Differences in customs, holidays, foods, games, language, and clothing Even ideas and thoughts differ Everyone with a different life story Giving us a taste of the rest of the world I'm proud of my country Glad to live in a nation of immigrants Accepting and welcoming people of the world. ____ Why I'm Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants (By Alexa Lash, Miami, Florida) I am alone Unprotected by the evil that stands before me I am alone Without home or a road to freedom I am afraid Walking through the blackened street of fear I am afraid Going to a new world where my language is not spoken I am transparent I am seeking a place with no one to be my guide I am transparent People see an ugly girl I am new Seeing new people who can help I am new Going to be free I am loved By my friends who I will trust I am loved By the family I will miss I am leaving I am going on the ship to freedom I am leaving Going to a street of gold I am crying Saying my good byes I am crying From tear to dangling tear I am forming I am becoming a woman on my own I am forming I am looking to see who I really am I am reaching Hearing the call of an eagle I am reaching Getting closer to the destination I have longed for I am observing Seeing the ocean bloom into waves along the shore I am observing Seeing the sun rise and the birds chirp I have arrived Feeling the warmth of the sand I have arrived In America. ____ America (By Daniel Rocha, Media, Pennsylvania) America a land of differences different races; different faces, America a land of differences. America a land of freedom, Immigrants come from far and near, To taste the freedom we have here. They come for freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, they come for freedom from dictators and laws America a land of freedom America a land of family, people come from different lands, to see their family that lives here, America a land of family. America a land of hope, [[Page 30001]] Immigrants who come here, hope for freedom from unfair rules, hope to escape their fears, hope to stop their endless tears, America a land of hope America a land of people, many people, some have similarities, some have differences some have both America a land of people. America a land of different languages Spanish, English, Portuguese, Scottish Chinese, Japanese, many languages, America a land of different languages America a land of all, America a land of difference, America a land of freedom, America a land of family, America a land of hope, America a land of people, America a land of different languages, America a land for all. ____ Why I Am Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants (By Eugene Yakubov, Chicago, Illinois) My family came to the United States in 1996 because life in Ukraine was getting worse and was getting worse. There were no jobs, no food, and no money. My friends' parents didn't have jobs for two years. In America his father got a job right away. Many people left their countries even though they had to change their professions. In Ukraine my father was a tinsmith. Now he repairs air conditioners. My mom went to ``Beauty School.'' It is great that America is a nation of immigrants because when new immigrants arrive they meet people just like them. No one laughs at their English or their misery. On my first day of school I was afraid I didn't know English. In class I saw children from all around the world. A Russian boy helped me a lot. In America people have to work hard because life is not easy. This is the country that is built with hard labor. New immigrants are like new-borns in the family. They bring happiness and joy. I am grateful to America because my parents could find a job, and I may go to school where teachers don't faint because they are hungry. Once President Kennedy addressed his fellow Americans. I address my fellow immigrants. Don't ask what America can do for you ask what you can do for America, a Promised Land for many of us. ____________________