Rubén Hinojosa: “It is with great sadness that I rise to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the American DREAM Act.…”

“It is with great sadness that I rise to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the American DREAM Act. This past weekend, I learned of the tragic death of Joaquin Luna, a senior student at Juarez Lincoln High School in Mission, Texas, who took his life because he believed that he would never be able to fulfill his dream of becoming an engineer, earning his citizenship, and leading a full and prosperous life in America. Brought to the United States as an infant, Joaquin attended our Nation's public schools, played the guitar at his church, and hoped to go to college and achieve the American Dream. I cannot express the sorrow I feel on the loss of such a talented young man. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Joaquin's family and friends. I cannot imagine the pain they are suffering. It is heartbreaking to know that many of us in the U.S. House of Representatives passed the DREAM Act at this time last year, only to see the legislation held up in the Senate by a vote of 55-41. Today, as Joaquin Luna's body is laid to rest, I believe it is imperative to underscore the urgency of passing the DREAM Act in the 112th Congress and renewing hope for DREAM students. As a proud cosponsor of H.R. 1842, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011, better known as the DREAM Act, I urge President Obama and my colleagues in the House and the Senate to put their ideological differences aside and do what is right.…”