Patsy T. Mink: “I represent well over 100,000 individuals in my State who are legal residents who have come here to make a life for…”

“I represent well over 100,000 individuals in my State who are legal residents who have come here to make a life for their families. The Constitution was written by some very, very wonderful people who made no distinction whatsoever in guaranteeing the rights and privileges of this country when they wrote the word ``persons.'' They did not say ``citizens.'' They said ``persons.'' And the courts time and time again have protected the rights of persons within the United States. They have not made any discriminations, neither should we, in terms of dealing with these people who are legally here. Twenty thousand legal residents currently serve in the military. More than 20 percent of Americans who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor were legal residents. How can we deny legal residents the right to care about what is happening in this country? We need to keep them in the political process. Do not write them off. They are our friends. They are part of our community. We should respect the work that they do.”