My name is Neil MacInnes-Barker. I am the Student Body President of the University of Massachusetts Boston, an institution I’m honored to attend in a state I am proud to live in. I am the son of immigrants who came to this country with the dream of a better life. I am an American citizen. I am also a veteran, proud to have served my fellow citizens and my country. As proud as I am to be here, I am even more proud of the many courageous individuals here today – people who deserve the title of citizen, as members of this State. Many are people who have lived in this country, and this state, since childhood, just as I have. They consider this country to be their home, but grew up in constant, silent fear of their neighbors. These are some of the most courageous individuals I know, because these men and women, our neighbors and colleagues, have bravely broken their silence about their undocumented status. They stand up to speak openly and honestly at this, a most important time in our history. This is a time when you, our elected officials, are asked to step up and help our communities. If right now you have any lingering doubts in your heart, any hesitation staying your hand, any weakness in your knees, then as a veteran I say to you respectfully and sincerely: Look around you. Look around, Senator Brown. Look around, citizens of Massachusetts. THIS is what people who love our country do. THIS is one of the many ways they contribute to our state. THEY are making the ultimate sacrifice. THESE citizens have done the hard work for you. They are sacrificing their lives, to give thier families the American dream. Like our nation’s Founders, they are publicly speaking out and putting their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor on the line. Several are people I’ve had the great honor of working beside; students like Renata Teodoro and Conrado Santos. They are individuals who have contributed enormously to our school. Their work brings great credit to the student body at the University of Massachusetts Boston, while they serve faithfully in our Government. These citizens have been so kind to you, so easy on you. And still… Here’s something that might help you make a decision: the DREAM Act is not controversial in our universities or in our communities. There is overwhelming support for this in our state, and in the student body of the University of Massachusetts Boston. Ours is an excellent University, vibrant with a wonderfully diverse population from all over the world. Our international population has lifted the University of Massachusetts to rank 56th in the Times of London’s 2010, World University Rankings of the Top 200 Universities of the world. People didn’t do this by working at menial tasks or by sitting around waiting for handouts. They did this by standing up and reaching out to the University community, excelling as students with a high GPA and a passionate drive. We ask that you likewise stand up and reach out to them. Stand up for civil excellence. Stand up with them now, and support the DREM Act! The forefathers of this proud nation and of this fair state would approve. Having the flags of many countries waving behind them in their own heritage… They will be behind you. And they will be proud of you. To you, who may have momentarily forgotten the challenge of coming to this country with a dream, we forgive you this temporary lapse of conscience. But… Please don’t disappoint us. Please don’t disappoint our universities. And please don’t disappoint the founders of the state of Massachusetts, and of the United States of America. Thank you.