TITLE: Honoring the economic contributions made by immigrants to the Lone Star State.

SUMMARY: Honoring the economic contributions made by immigrants to the Lone Star State.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, From the founding of our country onward, generations of immigrants have come to the United States in hopes of realizing the promise of the American dream; and WHEREAS, In 2015, immigrants of all statuses accounted for 20.6 percent of the Texas labor force; many of those individuals have greatly benefited the state economy as small business owners and entrepreneurs--9.4 percent of immigrants in Texas are self-employed, compared to just 5.8 percent of the native-born population--while more still have played an essential role in a wide range of industries, especially education, health care, and social-assistance services; and WHEREAS, Immigrants residing in Texas earned an estimated $119 billion in wage, salary, and self-employment income in 2015, and undocumented immigrants in the state pay approximately $1.5 billion in state and local taxes each year; and WHEREAS, A dynamic and diverse workforce is vital to the prosperity of the Lone Star State, and it is indeed fitting that immigrants be recognized for their innumerable contributions to the Texas economy; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby honor the economic contributions made by immigrants to the Lone Star State.