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[Congressional Record: October 7, 2003 (Extensions)]
[Page E1978]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr07oc03-13]
IMMIGRANT WORKERS FREEDOM RIDE
______
HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 7, 2003
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on October 1, 2003,
the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride arrived to Washington, DC. I welcome
and salute the Immigrant Workers Freedom Riders.
Inspired by the 1961 freedom rides that sought to integrate bus
terminals in the South, today's riders are visiting cities and towns
across the country. They are raising awareness about the plight of
immigrant workers and advocating for comprehensive change to our
immigration system. Like Dr. Martin Luther King, these Americans,
refuse to believe and I quote, ``there are insufficient funds in the
great vaults of opportunity in this great nation.''
Let me share the story of one of those Americans. Salvador Guillen is
the proud leader of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees
International Union (HERE) Local 681. He is a father of three children
and has worked as a housekeeper at Disneyland's Paradise Pier Hotel for
over 15 years. Salvador was born in Zamora, Michoacan, and has lived in
the United States for 18 years. He is now a proud citizen of the United
States.
In his own words, Salvador states:
I want workers like my two sisters who have not been able
to legalize and who are forced to work jobs where they are
abused, overworked, and underpaid to have the same
opportunity.
I don't want my two sisters to suffer anymore like the time
when our father was very sick. I remember they cried every
night because they could not see him. Our father recovered,
but to this day they still have not seen him since they left
Mexico years ago.
I want all immigrants who work everyday and pay taxes to
have the same opportunity I had for a better life, that is
why I took time off my work, without pay, to ride across our
country in support of immigration reform.
Salvador's journey exemplifies our democratic principles that all men
and women are guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. May God bless all riders for embarking on
this courageous and noble journey. I wish them all the best in New York
City.
Together, we can implement sensible immigration policies that bring
all immigrants one-step closer to the American Dream. For my part, I
will continue to fight to defend our democratic values and make justice
a reality for all of God's children. Juntos, podemos promover leyes mas
justas de inmigracion, que ayuden a todos los inmigrantes en su lucha
por conseguir el Sueno Americano.
____________________
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