[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14354]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   BIPARTISAN SOLUTION TO IMMIGRATION

  (Mr. KILMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the need for a 
bipartisan solution to our Nation's immigration challenges.
  This past Saturday, I spoke at a naturalization ceremony in Tacoma, 
Washington, where 72 men and women from all corners of the world took 
their oath of allegiance to our Nation. I saw the joy on the faces of 
these new American brothers and sisters, including several military 
members who risked their lives to protect our Nation before they 
themselves had the rights to citizenship. Personally, the day also 
marked the 65th anniversary, to the day, of my grandmother's and 
mother's immigration to the United States from Holland.
  The occasion served to remind me that we are a stronger Nation 
because of our Nation's diversity and the experiences that people bring 
here. We are indeed a Nation of immigrants, but we're also a Nation of 
laws. It's time to modernize those laws in a way that allows us to 
further secure our borders and create a feasible solution for the 11 
million undocumented people here in the United States.
  Improving our legal immigration system will ensure American workers 
receive the benefits of competing on an equal ground. It will reduce 
exploitation and give undocumented workers and their families a path 
toward achieving opportunity.
  I hope we can cross party lines and pass a meaningful, comprehensive 
immigration reform bill.

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