2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Renews Push for Immigration Reform

By Paula Wolfson
White House
24 April 2006

President Bush is making a renewed push for legislation to reform the country's immigration laws, as members of Congress head back to Washington after a holiday recess¹. Mr. Bush went to California - a state with the largest immigrant population in the nation - to make his case.

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George W. Bush speaks about comprehensive immigration reform in Irvine, California, Monday   
  

The president went to a Republican stronghold in California to urge lawmakers from all points on the political spectrum² to come together on immigration reform.

"It's a debate that requires clear, rational thought and it is really important for those of us in positions of responsibility to remember we are a nation of law, a welcoming nation, a nation that honors people's tradition no matter where they are from," said President Bush.

President Bush acknowledged Americans are torn about the best way to deal with the more than 11 million illegal immigrants now estimated to be in the country. The issue has spurred nationwide demonstrations³ in recent weeks. And as the president spoke⁴ to his audience at a Irvine, California hotel, protesters on all sides of the issue gathered nearby.

Mr. Bush said those who are worried about the security of U.S. borders have a legitimate⁵ concern. But he also expressed concern for the plight⁶ of illegal immigrants.

"I know this is an emotional debate," he said. "I understand it is emotional. But one thing we cannot lose sight of is that we are talking about human beings."

The debate over immigration reform has been often bitter, with some lawmakers calling for a crackdown on illegal immigrants, while others want to give them a path to citizenship⁷.

Once again, Mr. Bush called for middle ground, urging Congress to combine steps to secure America's borders with a temporary worker program.

"It is really hard to enforce the border with people sneaking⁹ across to take jobs," said Mr. Bush. "Doesn't it make sense to have a rational temporary worker plan that says you don't need to sneak⁸ across the border?"

Senators tried and failed to agree on legislation before they left Washington for a two week holiday recess. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says they will try again in May and predicts this time they will succeed.

1 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。

2 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

6 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

7 citizenship   

n.市民权，公民权，国民的义务(身份)

参考例句：

• He was born in Sweden,but he doesn't have Swedish citizenship.他在瑞典出生，但没有瑞典公民身分。
• Ten years later,she chose to take Australian citizenship.十年后，她选择了澳大利亚国籍。

8 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

9 sneaking   

a.秘密的，不公开的

参考例句：

• She had always had a sneaking affection for him. 以前她一直暗暗倾心于他。
• She ducked the interviewers by sneaking out the back door. 她从后门偷偷溜走，躲开采访者。