82R28180 CBE-F
By: Hartnett, Sheets, Aliseda, Riddle, H.C.R. No. 158
Anchia, et al.
HOUSE 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.