From the transcript of the
House session of January 3, 2007:
REP. DONOVAN: (84th)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members of
the Chamber...
I'd like to introduce leaders of the Majority
Party...
Again a new Deputy Majority Leader from the
City of
(APPLAUSE)
--has been a big advocate on education and making sure every child in our state has the opportunity to learn. And he does a great job working on that and working with us.
We really see him as a conscience here and bringing forth his issues to make sure in a very deliberate, serious manner. I really appreciate it. Looking forward to working with you this year. Thank you, Felipe.
(APPLAUSE)
From the debate on a bill to allow
children of immigrants who attend Connecticut high schools for four
years and then graduate to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and
universities - transcript of the
Connecticut House of Representatives - May 17, 2007:
REP. REINOSO: (130th)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, respectively, I'd like to address an issue that is very, very close to my heart, to my sentiments, to my experience as an educator.
Knowing very closely the circumstances of many kids, many children who are looking for this possibility, the possibility for our kids to attend college, to pursue the American dream.
And I have to tell you that this is not, not only for Hispanics, and some of my colleagues they mentioned about Hispanics, but in reality this is for all students all across. I can tell you from different countries and different backgrounds. So we are here speaking on behalf of children in general.
The other topic that I want to bring to you is, we all, all of us, we run on the platform of education, which is important. This is the time to implement what we say when we run for office.
We have kids that are expecting us, non-American and American kids, and I'm going to make myself sure that this particular Session, my kids in several schools, I will do this in my District.
To see what is going on in the United States and how we're going to vote for this. I can tell you that having kids ready to go to college, they have already demonstrated the capacity, the interest, the discipline to further their education, to reach the American Dream.
You know and we know well the circumstances that we have in the public schools in our state and probably in the country. Colleagues, over 3,000 students drop out from our schools in this country every day.
By tomorrow, those 3,000 kids will never return. We have schools in other states where the drop out rate reaches to 40%. I have to say it loud and clear.
Now we have 200 kids that are looking for you. We're pledging. We're asking. We're begging you. If I can tell you that, for the opportunity. Is this the land of opportunity? Let's provide it.
Also, from my perspective, providing the facilities and the opportunity for these young kids, I think, we could provide a young man and woman the option to become a professional.
That will serve as a catalyst to their immediate community to serve as a role model. I think we all want that. Right? We're looking for that. Role models.
So we can have here young men and women that will serve and help their communities. And also, hopefully, more kids will get involved in the issues of pursuing higher education.
When I take kids to Washington under a program that is called Close Up Foundation, right in front of the White House, if we're talking about issues on immigrants. Please make sure to drive by Lafayette Square, who are the generals that are standing in front of the White House?
And I can tell you that four of them are foreign born. And right here before we enter this historical place, we have a gentleman that is with a sword standing over his horse, standing there very clearly, Marquis de Lafayette, an immigrant who fought for this country, shoulder to shoulder with General Washington.
So the history of immigrants is not recently. It's not five years, ten years. This is a land of immigrants.
So I'm appealing to you to please consider, and urge you to please provide the opportunity to these 200 kids that will provide, will pay taxes and as my colleagues say, will be the labor force of this beautiful state. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.