[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16477]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              PRESIDENT FOX'S VISIT AND IMMIGRATION REFORM

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to reemphasize the need for 
immigration reform in the United States. In recent days, we have heard 
lengthy discussions from opponents and proponents on this issue. I want 
to make sure that the people, the hardworking immigrants and the many 
families that I represent, are not lost in that debate.
  Millions of immigrants have lived here for an extended period of 
time. They go to work every single day. They pay taxes just like you 
and me. They own homes and many own businesses, and many have played by 
the rules. They also have children who are U.S. citizens. These people 
deserve respect. They deserve to be acknowledged for the many 
contributions that they have made to this great country.
  Mexican President Vicente Fox has done a superb job of highlighting 
the need for immigration reform. He recognizes the immense 
contributions all immigrants make to the U.S. economy and to foreign 
economies such as his own, and a majority of U.S. citizens recognize 
the important contributions that immigrants have made to this country. 
A recent bipartisan poll found that 62 percent of voters support 
legalization for immigrants who pay taxes, break no laws, and play by 
the rules.
  I ask for this Congress to begin discussions, as President Fox stated 
yesterday at the White House, to begin discussions on immigration 
reform.

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