Posted on 07/07/2006 4:28:43 PM PDT by pabianice
Prepared Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the Naturalization Ceremony Aboard USS Intrepid
New York July 6, 2006 - The following are prepared remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the naturalization ceremony aboard the USS Intrepid:
Good morning. Thank you for having me here, and congratulations to all of today's new American citizens.
This is, truly, a great day to be an American - and what more magnificent setting to celebrate the spirit of our great nation than here aboard the USS Intrepid. Her history, which tells the story of freedom's fight, reminds us of the heart and sacrifice made every day by our men and women in uniform, some of whom risk their lives every day for America even though they are not American citizens.
You have all been Americans in your hearts for some time. But you will never forget this very special day, and how it felt to take the oath that made you, officially, an American citizen.
Like so many new Americans before you, you will pass that feeling, that pride, on to your children and grandchildren.
My parents were both children of immigrants who instilled in me a deep appreciation for being an American. They never let me forget that being a citizen of this great country means having limitless opportunities - if you work hard!
When I became Attorney General I took an oath much like the one you all took today - and I couldn't help feeling, at that time, the power and the blessings of a country that my grandparents chose. A country that enabled a family to produce an Attorney General just two generations after coming here. And they came with nothing more than their names, their work ethic, and their desire to make a better life for themselves and their children.
To be an American citizen is special; you know this. It is a coveted and respected title all over the world. The freedom and opportunity offered by the United States attracts so many hopeful souls, in fact, that we are challenged to manage the flow of immigrants into our country.
The desire to achieve this title, this status, of American citizenship is why we are a nation of immigrants - and that is a characterization that we should preserve. Diversity makes our country strong and rich in ways that are difficult to quantify. What is clear is that a nation made up of people who came here for freedom, or who were born to parents or grandparents who sought freedom - is a special land indeed. The diversity this has rendered is important to cherish and to protect.
We are also a nation of laws, and that is one of America's strengths as well.
I imagine the new citizens here today are very aware of the fact that the legal path you took to citizenship is not being followed by millions of other people who are nonetheless benefiting from the opportunities of this great country.
You, and I, understand their desire to be Americans, of course. But Illegal immigration compromises the core American value of fairness.
The President and I believe that, morally, those of us in government owe it to you - the people who followed the rules to become citizens - to enact comprehensive immigration reform, and to do it right.
To get it right, the new policy must be reasonable, fair and just. It must also be based in reality.
For example, we cannot, realistically, deport the 12 million people who are here illegally today.
And we cannot ignore those who came here illegally, but have been living and working here for a long time. Most are people who have otherwise been productive and law-abiding members of our society.
These people should be given the chance to earn citizenship. To do so, they should have to pay substantial fines, pay back taxes and pay back-Social Security taxes if they haven't already.
Finally, they will have to start at the beginning of the process of gaining their citizenship. This is only fair to those who - like those of you here today - are or were already in line legally, and those who for many years followed the law and followed the rules.
Citizenship in this country is a privilege, and it must be earned. Each of you knows this.
Like anything that is earned, citizenship will be especially cherished by those who work for it. For those who came here illegally, immigration reform will make the road to citizenship harder and longer, but not out of reach. Again, this is a fair and practical solution to the challenge facing all Americans, including those Americans with us today.
In my position, I frequently discuss the importance of the rule of law. It is one of the core values that makes our country great and keeps it free. Comprehensive immigration reform will restore faith in the rule of law while honoring our tradition as a nation of immigrants. And this is the beauty of well- constructed laws - they protect what we value most while keeping pace with changing times, circumstances and challenges.
As newly naturalized citizens, each of you has an important perspective on the challenge our country faces with immigration. Please exercise your wonderful rights as citizens by engaging your public officials in conversations on this topic. I know that your input will be valued.
I appreciate that your path to citizenship has been long, it has been legal, and each of you have displayed both tenacity and love of country by completing the steps and following the rules. Again, I am proud to be with you on this, one of the most memorable and important days of your lives - the day you became citizens of the land of the free, the home of the brave.
So congratulations and welcome to the ever-growing, dynamic and wonderfully diverse American family. May God bless you and may He continue to bless this country you now proudly call "home."
Thank you and good luck pursuing the American dream.
Maybe you don't get it... This is a moving, beautiful speech. America is a rich panopoly of people -- we have to make room for the changes. And besides, the country would grind to a halt without immigrations to help it run.
As it should be.
Oh, they get it -- Bush's pro-illegal elitist agenda that is. One America, no borders, no soverignty, to hell with the will of the American people, to hell with the duty of the President to protect our borders...etc,etc,etc.
** LET'S ALL HAVE A BIG AMNESTY PARTY **
It is a total tragedy upon America that only certain people in this country have to be accountable to our laws. If you can provide one or both of these two things, you have 007 license to kill (disobey our laws)...
1. If you can provide what is considered a critical,swing vote.
2. If you provide campaign dollars.
And to hell with the REAL American citizen. And shove the bill for all of this up his address...
Fine, George. Let them start at the beginning of the process back in their countries of origin.
Changed the headline, I see.
You forgot your "< sarcasm >" button PDR.
My grandparents lived here legally before becoming naturalized citizens. They didn't start the paperwork on the Canadian side of the border.
Then if George waves his magic wand and makes those who are here illegally "legal," his comments about beginning the process at the back of the line are just so much bunk. He's granting illegals amnesty and letting them jump the line, and too bad for those who are waiting in line legally here or abroad.
Many young people of other nationalities serve in our military. And after doing so, they become US citizens. Sadly, there are those who are post-humously honored with citizenship. Their sacrifice is breathtaking. To die for our country is an awesome tribute to their allegiance to America. We owe them greatly.
You are absolutely correct.
Gotta raise the
flags on that one.
You don't get it. The Democratic party is 100 percent in favor of Amnesty for illegals. Nearly all of the Swing voters are in favor of Amnesty for illegals. Close to half the Republicans are in favor of Amnesty.
Yet the anti illegal immigrant people keep trying to tell the congress and the president that they are a majority of voters in the USA. That is just not true.
Think about it . You know you don't have the Democrats. You know you don't have all the Republicans.... How can that leave you a majority. There is no way the bush administration is going to move on an issue that does not have majority support. Amnesty and Guest worker programs have majority support. And Republicans and Democrats know it.
You keep telling the people that a majority in the house is still in favor of the house bill on illegal immigration. That does not appear to be true.
On June 13th Republican House Majority Leader Boehner told the US Chamber of Commerce Convention that he had the votes in the house to get a bill out the the conference committee that contained the amnesty and guest worker provisions the Chamber of Commerce members wanted. And yes most of the Chamber of Commerce members are Republicans.
A day later Hastert refused to appoint house members to the conference committee. Instead he announced a plan of holding hearings on illegal immigration to try to drum up support for the House bill. If you already have majority support there is no need to drum up majority support. If the House members supported the House bill Hastert would not need to hold hearings to convince them of anything.
The facts are the house approved its bill last December. The Senate waited until the middle of May. And by May the pro Amnesty pro Guest Worker Republicans were out in force. That explains why the Senate Bill was so pro illegal immigrant. It also explains why some 73 Senators voted to bring the senate bill to a vote. Only 25 Senators voted against bringing the senate bill up for passage. Then 36 of them voted not to pass it. 11 Senators, all Republicans voted for the Senate bill before they voted against it.
And the Changed minds in the House explains why Boehner could tell the Chamber he had to votes to get what they wanted passed.
What it appears is going to happen is the Hastert will at long last appoint members to the conference committee. That committee in secret session will adopt something very much like the Senate bill.The House and senate will approve it and the president will sign it.
The day after that bill is signed into law illegal immigration Will drop off the news coverage not to be heard about again for 15 years.
Don't believe me? Then I have just two words for you.
I'm with whoever posted 11, so I'll just self-censor.
My comment was directed towards what SHOULD happen. I'm all in favor of enforcing the laws on the books... they should have been enforced all along. Occasionally you'll hear of deportations, and I am in favor of the illegals being deported.
This will not change my opinion that legal immigration has been and still is good for America. I'm a granddaughter of immigrants who became naturalized citizens.
That's interesting. Maybe you should inform the politicians who are losing local races over the illegal immigration issue that American voters are really on their side.
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