III 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 255 

Recognizing June 2019 as ‘‘Immigrant Heritage Month’’, a celebration of 

the accomplishments and contributions immigrants and their children 

have made in shaping the history, strengthening the economy, and enriching the culture of the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 20, 2019 

Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. BENNET, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Ms. HARRIS, 

Ms. HIRONO, Mr. MARKEY, Mrs. MURRAY, and Ms. SMITH) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing June 2019 as ‘‘Immigrant Heritage Month’’, 

a celebration of the accomplishments and contributions 

immigrants and their children have made in shaping 

the history, strengthening the economy, and enriching 

the culture of the United States. 

Whereas the United States has always been a Nation of immigrants, and throughout the history of the United 

States, immigrants and their children from around the 

world have kept the workforce in the United States vibrant and businesses in the United States on the cutting 

edge, and helped to build the greatest economic engine in 

the world; 


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•SRES 255 IS 

Whereas the entrepreneurial drive and spirit of the United 

States is built on a diversity of origins; 

Whereas the American dream first drew people to the United 

States and continues to drive business in the United 

States; 

Whereas the success of the United States is a result of the 

many distinct experiences of the people of the United 

States, not in spite of it; 

Whereas, as a Nation of immigrants, we must remember the 

generations of pioneers that helped lay the railroads and 

build cities, develop new industries, and fuel innovation 

and the exchange of ideas; 

Whereas immigrants start more than a quarter of all new 

businesses in the United States, and immigrants and 

their children start more than 40 percent of Fortune 500 

companies; 

Whereas these businesses collectively employ tens of millions 

of people in the United States and generate more than 

$5,500,000,000,000 in annual revenue; 

Whereas immigrants enhance the productive capacity of the 

United States economy and contribute approximately 

$2,000,000,000,000, or about 10 percent of annual gross 

domestic product of the United States; 

Whereas immigrants in the United States contribute greatly 

to advances in technology and sciences; 

Whereas 16 percent of all employed college graduates and 

54.5 percent of individuals with a Ph.D. working in the 

fields of science, technology, engineering, and math are 

immigrants; 


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•SRES 255 IS 

Whereas, between 2006 and 2012, 44 percent of new tech 

startups in Silicon Valley, widely known as the international hub for technological development and innovation, had at least 1 immigrant founder; 

Whereas immigrants in the United States plant, cultivate, 

and harvest the rich diversity of agriculture products 

available today from the farmlands of the United States; 

Whereas each immigrant farm employee supports 2 to 3 fulltime jobs in processing, transportation, and retail; 

Whereas immigrants involved in agricultural production aid 

in the food security and independence of the United 

States; 

Whereas the work of immigrants has directly enriched the 

culture of the United States by influencing the performing arts from Broadway to Hollywood, as well as 

academia, art, music, literature, media, fashion, cuisine, 

customs, and cultural celebrations enjoyed across the 

United States; 

Whereas generations of immigrants have come to the United 

States from all corners of the world, and many immigrants tirelessly fought for the independence of the 

United States, defending the ideals of the country; 

Whereas more than 30,000 lawful permanent residents are 

serving in the Armed Forces of the United States; 

Whereas, since 2002, more than 102,000 men and women, 

including individuals serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, South 

Korea, Germany, Japan, and elsewhere, have become citizens while serving in the Armed Forces; 

Whereas Congress represents a rich diversity of communities 

across the United States and works closely with a variety 

of diaspora leaders from more than 60 ethnic caucuses 


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to ensure that the voices of United States citizens from 

all backgrounds are heard; and 

Whereas the United States was founded on the universal 

promise that we are all created equal: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes June 2019 as ‘‘Immigrant Herit3 age Month’’ in honor of the accomplishments and 

4 role of immigrants and their children in shaping the 

5 history and culture of the United States; 

6 (2) pledges to celebrate immigrant contributions 

7 to, and immigrant heritage in, each State; 

8 (3) welcomes immigrants and their children to 

9 find their place in the vibrant, multiethnic, and inte10 grated society of the United States; and 

11 (4) encourages the people of the United States 

12 to always remember the immigrant roots of the 

13 United States and to commemorate the immigrant 

14 communities that continue to move the country for15 ward. 

Æ 


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