Rep. Gutierrez: DREAM Act Is Test of
"Our Tolerance, Our Fairness, Our Sense of Justice"

DREAM Act Vote Expected Today in House

(Washington, DC) - This morning as the House of Representatives opened for the day, Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) delivered a "one-minute" address to the House. The House is expected to take up the American Dream Act (HR 6497, aka the DREAM Act) later today. The following is the text, as prepared, of the Congressman's remarks.

When I was a school teacher, I never knew how well my kids were doing until I gave them a test. That's when you find out what you've really learned.

We need to have a test right here in this chamber today.

We need to test our tolerance, our fairness, our sense of justice. We need to vote - today -- on the Dream Act.

Will we pass the test? Will we get an "A" or an "F"?

Those who will grade this test are watching. A generation of young people are hoping. Their futures are riding on whether we pass this test.

Their families and communities are watching to see how we do on this test. Our nation wants to see if we are compassionate and if we have the courage to do what is right.

This is a pass or fail test. Our kids - our young people - have all passed. They've worked hard. They've planned for better futures. They love America.

Today, I urge my colleagues not to fail these kids. Call the Dream Act for a vote and let us pass on hope to our next generation.

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