Before the Senate passed immigration reform 68-32 Thursday, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) gave an impassion speech in favor of the bill. An excerpt:
This is not just my story. This is our story. It reminds us of the words etched on the marble above the rostrum of the Senate: “E Pluribus Unum.” “Out Of Many, One.”
No one should dispute that, like every sovereign nation on this planet, we have a right to control who comes in. But unlike other countries, we are not afraid of people coming in here from other places. Instead, inspired by our Judeo-Christian principles we Americans have seen the stranger, and invited them in.
Our history is filled with dramatic evidence that God’s hand is upon our land. Who among us would dispute that we Americans are a blessed people?
For over two hundred years now, they have come. In search of liberty and freedom, for sure. But often just in search of a job to feed their kids and a chance at a better life.
From Ireland and Poland, from Germany and France, from Mexico and Cuba, they have come.
They have come because in the land of their birth, their dreams were bigger than their opportunities. Here they brought their language and their customs, their religions and their music, and somehow they’ve made them ours as well.
From a collection of people from everywhere, we became one people — the most exceptional nation in all of human history.
Even with all our challenges, we remain that shining city on a hill. We are still the hope of the world. Go to our factories and our fields, go to the kitchens and construction sites, go to the cafeterias in this very capitol and there you will find that the miracle of America is still alive. For here in America those who once had no hope will give their kids the chance at a life they always wanted for themselves.
And that’s why I support this reform. Not just because I believe in immigrants, but because I believe in America even more.