The Honorable Luis Gutierrez
Democratic National Convention
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

In America, great leaders have always seized the chance for change. When Martin Luther King saw people facing injustice, he did not wait for others to act -- he changed the way we treat each other. And when Cesar Chavez saw farm workers being exploited -- he didn't sit and hope that things would get better -- he demanded change and made it happen.

If you want change, it is time for Latinos and for immigrants to rally behind the next President of the United States, Barack Obama. Tonight, I ask my friends in the Latino community, in the immigrant community, please join me, because Barack Obama is the change we need.

John McCain? McCain means more of the same, the same failed policies and empty promises for Latinos. I remember when John McCain said he would stand up for immigrants, until right-wing extremists told him to sit down. So he sat down.

That's why I have stood up for immigrants, from Mexico and Central America and Poland and Korea and every nation around our world, who come to America because we represent hope, and freedom, and opportunity.

I know, and you know, that immigrants come to our great nation to work the hardest jobs, for the longest hours, for the lowest pay -- all because they believe in what makes us Americans. That if you work hard, you'll get ahead. That you put your family first. That to succeed all you need is an opportunity.

Hard work. Family. Faith. That's the America I know. That's the immigrant community I know.

But most important, when Barack Obama occupies the White House, that is the community our president will defend and respect by fighting for comprehensive immigration reform. Reform that keeps mothers and children and families together. Reform that brings hard-working people out of the shadows of disgrace and into the sunlight of dignity. That enforces our laws, keeps our borders secure, and our nation safe.

For immigrants, for Latinos, for all of us, the time for reform, the time for change, the time for Barack Obama is now. Tonight, no matter where you come from, or the language you speak, I am asking you: elect Barack Obama president because he will fight for us. He will bring the change we need, change now, change for everyone, justice for all, real change to make America as great as we can be.