>We are a nation of migrants, Hispanics being the latest wave. That much is clear. Most -- all -- of our achievements have come from immigrants. And yet the issue persists. And the question persists in my mind, what kind of people have made us? Personal histories encouraged.

As you know, this topic is much on my mind these days. My mother came here after WWII; she always felt that because she'd been spared from the Holocaust, she had a responsibility to give to her community and the world at large.

As she's going through her final illness, we're hearing all kinds of stories about how she has helped people over the years. Yesterday, her next-door neighbor came around to check on her. The background is that when we moved to Philly in the early 60's, my parents chose to settle in one of the few racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods here. They've lived in the same house for 47 years and the neighborhood is still diverse. The neighbor who came by is from Jamaica. She talked about how my mother was the best neighbor. When she and her family would return to Jamaica, my mother would bring in the mail and watch the house. She said outright that it surprised her that someone of a different race would do that for her.

Another women came by yesterday who has known Mom for maybe 15 years. Mom taught two of her children, and is the reason this woman became an active volunteer at the school (ultimately president of the Home and School Association) and now works in that school.

In my view, immigrants are the engine that made this country great.

Tamar