MIAMI, July 11 (UPI) -- Memories of his immigrant parents' experiences brought Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace to tears at a U.S. congressional hearing.
A Marine, Pace was testifying Monday in Miami, and became emotional as he described how his father worked several jobs to support his family after arriving in New York early in the last century.
Medal of Honor recipient Alfred Rasconalso also testified, the Chicago Tribune reported. He said none of his fellow soldiers cared that he was an immigrant when he threw himself on wounded comrades to shield them in Vietnam.
The hearings are taking place across the country during the summer before a conference committee convenes to review the House and Senate bills later this year.
The House bill is the harsher version that the Senate's and does not contain provisions for a guest worker program for immigrants who are willing register, learn English and pay taxes.
Many House Republicans are opposed to the guest concept, calling it an amnesty program.
