Nydia M. Velazquez: “I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member, and especially the ranking member for yielding. I rise in support…”

“I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member, and especially the ranking member for yielding. I rise in support of this critical legislation and urge my colleagues to support its passage. Throughout our Nation, in every city and town, immigrants have been critical to strengthening our communities. For centuries, people from every corner of the globe have traveled to the United States to start a new life, work hard, build a future for their children, and pursue their share of the American Dream. In New York especially, immigrants have long been an important part of the cultural fabric. Whether it is Chinatown, Little Italy, or our burgeoning Latino population, immigrants have made our city a stronger, more vibrant place offering invaluable economic and cultural contributions while shaping the city's identity. There are numerous ways we pay tribute to immigrants' role in American society. The Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island honors the thousands who arrived in New York's ports seeking a greater opportunity and freedom. This past week, we celebrated Thanksgiving--a holiday that originated with some of our earliest immigrants. In short, symbols of immigration's importance are woven throughout our society in physical landmarks, holidays--even our family histories. In my district, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum reminds New York residents and visitors alike of the challenges faced by some of our city's earliest immigrants.…”