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.…
Share
More from Rubén Hinojosa
On rollcall No. 86, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Stated against:
On rollcall No. 458, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it. Recorded Vote
I yield to the gentleman from New Hampshire so that he may express support for financial literacy and offer to work with us to encourage the Bureau to develop a financial literacy program aimed at auto financing.
I also rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 4983, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act. The underlying bill strengthens data transparency in higher education by establishing a new college dashboard Web site…





