Democratic Party Ninth District Abb Hayes

As a native Gainesvillian, I was thrilled to hear President Bush recognize my hometown in his acceptance speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention. The President proclaimed, "In northeast Georgia, Gainesville Elementary School is mostly Hispanic and 90 percent poor. And this year, 90 percent of its students passed state tests in reading and math." President Bush observed that the Gainesville principal was "challenging the soft bigotry of low expectation. And that is the spirit of education reform and the commitment of our country . . . We will leave no child behind."

Democrats also believe that no child should be left behind. In this season of MLK Day, we celebrate Dr. King's distinctly American message of hope, optimism, and opportunity. Embracing these ideals, U.S. Senate Democrats have proposed a bill known as the DREAM Act, a measure which would give a path to citizenship to undocumented children of parents who entered this country illegally. Eligibility would be limited to young persons who entered the U.S. prior to age 16, lived here for at least five years, obtained a high school diploma, and could demonstrate good moral character. Young people meeting the criteria would receive conditional legal status for six years and could only apply for permanent legal status after completing at least two years of college or military service.

The President and a majority of Senate Republicans have blocked the DREAM Act. The White House has stated that the Act creates "a special path to citizenship that is unavailable to other prospective immigrants - including young people whose parents respected the nation's immigration laws." In President Bush's view, the tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of children who would be given opportunity under the DREAM Act must instead give up their dreams of an education or a career in the military, a price the President believes should be paid by children for the mistakes of their parents.

In his speech to the 2004 Republican National Convention, President Bush said, "The story of America is the story of expanding liberty, an ever-widening circle, constantly growing to reach further and include more." President Bush stated, "To build a more hopeful America, we must help our children reach as far as their vision and character can take them. Tonight, I remind every parent and every teacher, I say to every child: No matter what your circumstance, no matter where you live, your school will be the path to promise of America." What a wonderful speech! Given the White House's position on the DREAM Act, however, it appears to be no more than empty rhetoric.

The promise of America has always been one of hope and opportunity. Dr. King recognized it. Democrats recognize it. For the sake of innocent immigrant children, who dream of an education, who aspire to serve this country in the military, Republicans should reject the politics of pandering to views based on bigotry and cynicism. Let's join together and pass the DREAM Act in 2008.

Abb Hayes is an attorney, practicing and residing in Gainesville. He is Chairman of the Hall County Democratic Committee.