82R28180 CBE-F

By: Hartnett H.C.R. No. 158

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The United States is a nation of immigrants who have built the greatest democracy in the history of mankind; and

WHEREAS, The United States at many times during its history has allowed noncitizens to earn citizenship through honorable service in its armed forces; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of undocumented children have received a high school degree in Texas and are eager to serve in the United States armed forces, but are ineligible because they were brought to the United States illegally; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 40,000 noncitizens with visas or green cards are currently serving loyally in the United States armed forces; and

WHEREAS, Many noncitizens serving in the United States armed forces have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan during the last 10 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the federal government to grant a conditional green card to noncitizens who (1) have received a high school diploma in the United States, and (2) arrived in this country before the age of 16, to allow them to enlist in the United States armed forces, if otherwise qualified; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature urge the federal government to award citizenship to these patriotic immigrants upon the completion of four years of honorable service in the United States armed forces; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to the secretary of defense, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.