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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The United States is a nation of immigrants, and our |
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influence in the world has been immeasurably enhanced by our |
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enduring identity as a land of freedom and opportunity for |
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resourceful persons of all colors, creeds, and origins; and |
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WHEREAS, Since colonial days, the American character has been |
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associated with boldness, determination, and an exceptional work |
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ethic, all traits possessed by those who elect to leave the familiar |
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behind and start their lives over in another country; successive |
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waves of newcomers have replenished our drive, enriched our |
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culture, and advanced our prosperity; and |
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WHEREAS, Immigrants bring innovative ideas and |
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entrepreneurial spirit, as well as business connections that |
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promote international trade and investment; they tend to arrive in |
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their prime working years, making huge net contributions to Social |
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Security and other senior entitlement programs; keeping the economy |
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flexible, they often fill key niches in the labor market where |
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demand outstrips supply, at both the low and high ends of the skill |
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spectrum; and |
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WHEREAS, The power of immigration to spur economic growth is |
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particularly evident in high-technology and other knowledge-based |
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sectors; the chief executive officers of such major tech companies |
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as Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and SpaceX were all born overseas, |
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and immigrants have developed myriad products, such as the Java |
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computer language, that have created jobs for millions of |
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Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, An America without immigrants would be poorer, |
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weaker, and less dynamic, and in an increasingly fluid and |
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challenging global economy, our competitiveness depends on our |
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continued ability to attract the best and the brightest from around |
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the world; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby reaffirm America's proud tradition as a beacon |
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of liberty and express support for the constitutional rights of |
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lawful immigrants. |