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. WILLIS: (64th)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just a closing statement and a clarification on some things that were debated here today and said. I do want to clarify a technical point for the record that was asked of me, and that's that I want to be very clear. This Bill makes eligible for in-state tuition anyone other than a non-immigrant alien.

And as I stated earlier before, a non-immigrant alien is a son or a daughter of someone in the diplomatic service, someone here maybe living in Connecticut who's with the United Nations.

That is the definition of a non-immigrant alien. I would also like to comment on statements that were made regarding our state university system and our community colleges.

The in-state rate is the only way that these children can go to college. At a community college, the in-state rate is about $ 2,800. The out-of-state rate is $ 8,500. That does not include books or supplies. It really puts it out of reach. So we are closing the door where most of these students are going to go.

In terms of the CSU student, the Chancellor of our state university system testified he would welcome these students with open arms and supported this legislation fully. The other thing to keep in mind is these students are going to our community colleges. They will be going to our state university system if this passes.

And what we know about students who go to those schools? They stay in Connecticut, over 80%. There was a comment made that they won't stay. They stay here in Connecticut and they add to our economy. This is about our children. This is about opportunity. These children aren't leaving the State of Connecticut.

They don't know their homeland. They grew up here. In every sense of the word, these are our children. They are the residents of our state and they are our responsibility. Their parents are taxpayers. Some of them own, I know some people think they're not taxpayers. They have jobs. They're taxpayers.

Some of them own property. That means they pay property taxes. They pay sales taxes. They, in fact, are taxpayers, as well. And the other comment about the military. I do want to say something that hasn't been stated here before today. The first soldier killed in Iraq entered this country as an undocumented immigrant.

I hope people will keep that in mind when they vote today. We should do right today. Thank you very much, Sir.