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Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference with Largest Group of DREAMers to Attend State of the Union

January 30, 2018

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Democratic leaders for a press conference with DREAMers who traveled from across the country to attend the State of the Union to urge Congressional Republicans to take a vote in both the House and Senate on bipartisan, sensible and narrow legislation that will permanently protect DREAMers. Below are the Leader's remarks:

Leader Pelosi. Aren't we proud of our Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus [Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham] for her courage and her leadership. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for bringing us all together today to salute our DREAMers. Our DREAMers who are here honoring the vows of our Founders, creating a country where every generation has a responsibility to make the future better than the next. It became known as the American Dream, and we are here with DREAMers fulfilling that call. Their parents – and I want you to thank your parents for bringing you here – you are the pride of America. And our DREAMers, you are here to stay, you are here to stay.

[Applause]

As the Chairwoman mentioned, dozens of DREAMers, the largest number ever to watch, witness, observe, attend a State of the Union address – they come expressing beautifully their dignity and their courage and respect for our institutions. We, yes, call upon the Speaker and the Leader in the Senate to bring forward legislation that protects DREAMers. Instead, we hear rhetoric that brings tears to the eyes of the Statue of Liberty, fear to hearts across the country.

But it doesn't have to be that way. There is bipartisan support, not only overwhelmingly in the country but bipartisan support in the Congress. So we will not rest. We will not stop. This will not end, except happily for our DREAMers.

So again, they are an inspiration but [also] the hopes, dreams and aspirations of their families to make the future better for them. They subscribe to American traits of optimism, and courage, and faith in the future. In doing so, DREAMers and their families make America more American. Thank you for that!

And now it is my privilege to yield, and welcome to the House side, a leader on this issue in the country, in the Congress and greatly in the United States Senate. You'll hear from him in his own words but I want to express gratitude on the part of all of us who care about DREAMers for his extraordinary leadership on their behalf. Senator Booker of New Jersey.

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