Frank Pallone: “I want to support the gentlewoman from Hawaii, and say that I was one of those, part of that overwhelming 300 or so, who…”

“I want to support the gentlewoman from Hawaii, and say that I was one of those, part of that overwhelming 300 or so, who voted when we had this amendment on suspension a couple of months ago, who voted in favor of eliminating the right for permanent residents to be able to contribute. After that time I was overwhelmed, if you will, by so many constituents in my district, which is a very multi-ethnic district. A lot of Asian Americans live in my district. They explained to me how insulting this was, if you will, that to say that people who are here, who become permanent residents, who would like and in most cases are trying to become citizens of the United States, that this is the one opportunity they have, really, or one of the few opportunities they have to express their will and get involved in the political process. I think it is a mistake for us to deny them that.”