2003 SESSION

03-2313

09/01

HOUSE RESOLUTION 23

ANALYSIS

This house resolution urges the President and Congress to amend federal selective service and immigration laws to grant the right of citizenship to all immigrants honorably discharged from United States military service.

03-2313

09/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

Whereas, immigrants have a long history of service in the United States military, including service in major wars from the American Revolution to the current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; and

Whereas, New Hampshire is justifiably proud of the contributions of John Paul Jones, a Scottish immigrant living in Portsmouth who became America's first naval hero; and

Whereas, the number of immigrants serving in the United States armed forces has grown to over 37,000 individuals; and

Whereas, immigrants comprise more than 20 percent of Medal of Honor recipients; and

Whereas, many immigrants on active duty are trying to become naturalized citizens and are required by law to be available at all times for military service but are only allowed to apply for United States citizenship after completing 3 years of military service; and

Whereas, President George W. Bush recently issued an executive order conferring immediate eligibility for citizenship to immigrants serving in the United States armed forces to reward immigrants serving in the post-September 11 war on terrorism; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the New Hampshire house of representatives hereby urges the President and the Congress of the United States to amend federal selective service and immigration laws to grant the right of citizenship to all immigrants honorably discharged from the United States military; and

That copies of this resolution be sent by the house clerk to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives; the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate; the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.