Reid Hails RP Vets, Vows Immigration Reforms

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) recently lauded the services of Filipino soldiers of World War II, cited the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders to the United States and vowed to pursue immigration reforms this year.

He made these remarks during the summit organized by the Asian American Pacific Islanders to coincide with the celebration of AAPI Heritage month in May.

The majority leader also assured the summiteers “we will again pursue comprehensive immigration reform that respects both our nation’s laws and the people from all nations who want to live in America, work hard and pay their fair share of taxes.”

He stressed that “it is critical that we bring families together by cutting down on the long waits for prospective immigrants trying to join their immediate family members in the United States. I am committed to reforming our system in a way that is tough, fair and practical.”

In hailing the Filipino veterans, Reid said: “First, Congress and the President honored our heroes by finally giving Filipino troops the well-deserved and long-overdue pensions they earned in World War II. These brave and patriotic troops served under the American flag when the Philippines were a commonwealth of this country.

“They stood with us, they fought with us, they helped us win the greatest war in history – and with the leadership of Senator Dan Inouye and the signature of President Obama, they at long last have received the recognition they deserve.

“Second, we are ensuring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can succeed even as our economy weathers unprecedented challenges and crises. As all Americans struggle with strained job and housing markets, we know that minority families and minority-owned businesses are hit the hardest.
The summit was held to address issues critical to the AAPI community including housing, the economic recovery plan, health care, education and immigration.

Reid also took time to recognize the presence at the summit of Rozita Lee, of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations; and Jose Melendrez, of UNLV’s Diversity and Inclusion program. “Thank you both for your leadership,” he said.

Saying that the US has always been a nation of immigrants, Reid specifically mentioned that Nevada “is home to the third-highest Pacific Islander population in the country, and the sixth-highest Asian-American population.”

He added: “Nevada, like America, is stronger for its diversity – not only from the greater Asian-American and Pacific Islander community, but also the great diversity within it. Each year, more and more Nevadans can trace their roots back to the Philippines, China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, India and many other Asian and Pacific nations.”

He said “We have committed ourselves this year to honoring the past, securing the present and strengthening the future promise of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.”
“We will also continue working to pass the Dream Act so that children of immigrants can receive an education and get a good job.

“Whether one comes from the Far East or the Golden West, our values are one and our shared goal is the continued recovery and sustained strength of the American economy. At great events like this one today, we reaffirm our commitment that no matter where one’s parents or grandparents were born, it is our solemn responsibility to make sure everyone in America can realize the American dream.”

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