III 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 216 

Recognizing the month of June 2015 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 25, 2015 

Mrs. FEINSTEIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the month of June 2015 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 from around the globe and their children 

have— 

(1) kept the workforce of the United States vibrant; 

(2) kept the businesses of the United States on the 

cutting edge; and 

(3) helped build the greatest economic engine in the 

world; 


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•SRES 216 IS 

Whereas the entrepreneurial drive and spirit of the United 

States— 

(1) is built on the diversity of the origins of the people of the United States; 

(2) drew the first immigrants to the United States; 

and 

(3) 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 those distinct experiences; 

Whereas, as a nation of immigrants, the people of the United 

States must remember the generations of pioneers that 

helped— 

(1) lay railroads and build cities; 

(2) develop new industries; and 

(3) fuel the Information Age, from the telegraph to 

the smartphone; 

Whereas more than 70 percent of agricultural workers in the 

United States are foreign born, and these workers keep 

California and farms in the United States in business 

and feed families in the United States; 

Whereas immigrants start more than one-fourth of all new 

businesses in the United States and immigrants or their 

children start more than 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies; 

Whereas those businesses collectively employ tens of millions 

of people in the United States and generate more than 

$4,500,000,000,000 in annual revenue; 

Whereas immigrants to the United States contribute greatly 

to advances in technology and sciences; 


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•SRES 216 IS 

Whereas, as of the date of introduction of this resolution, 14 

percent of employed college graduates and 50 percent of 

individuals with doctorate degrees working in mathematics and computer science occupations in the United 

States are immigrants; 

Whereas between 2006 and 2012, 44 percent of new technology start-ups in Silicon Valley (widely known as the 

international hub for technological development and innovation) had at least 1 immigrant founder; 

Whereas the work of immigrants has directly enriched the 

culture of the United States by influencing the performing arts (from Broadway to Hollywood), academia, 

art, music, literature, media, fashion, cuisine, customs, 

and cultural celebrations enjoyed across the United 

States; 

Whereas generations of immigrants have come to the shores 

of the United States from all corners of the globe; 

Whereas immigrants fought tirelessly in the Revolutionary 

War and continue to defend the ideals of the United 

States; 

Whereas, as of June 2015, more than 30,000 lawful permanent residents are serving in the United States Armed 

Forces; 

Whereas between 2002 and 2015, more than 102,000 men 

and women, including individuals serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, Germany, Japan, and elsewhere, 

have become United States citizens while wearing the 

uniform of the United States military; 

Whereas Congress represents a rich diversity of communities 

across the United States and works closely with diaspora 

leaders from more than 60 ethnic caucuses to ensure that 


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•SRES 216 IS 

the voices of people of the United States of all backgrounds are heard; and 

Whereas the United States was founded on the universal 

promise that all people are created equal: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes June 2015 as ‘‘Immigrant Herit3 age Month’’ in honor of the accomplishments and 

4 contributions of immigrants and their children in 

5 shaping the history and culture of the United States; 

6 (2) pledges to celebrate immigrant contributions 

7 to, and immigrant heritage in, each State; and 

8 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

9 to commemorate the history of immigrants in the 

10 United States and to always remember the immi11 grant roots of the United States. 

Æ 


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