“ Is it the good life here that makes us take the easy way out and live as immigrants rather than take the responsibilities of a citizen for twenty, thirty, or even forty years?” she asks. “Or is it because we are not mature enough to make a choice when we are not forced to make one?”

“ To increase our stature in the society, we need to give of ourselves. . . . We have not paid our dues, and we must if we are to play a significant role. We cannot live like guests in this society. We need to take ownership of where we live and start taking out the trash.” The words of her speech were, and still are, powerful and electrifying.