Transcript of remarks from Becerra

Below is a transcript of remarks made by U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday evening, as prepared for delivery.

Are Democrats in the house tonight? Are you ready to work? Ready to win? You say you're ready to work. But before any of us arrived here, men and women were already hard at work cleaning, fixing, improving. And when we leave, they will still be here, working and working.

These Americans turned on the lights for this convention, and they will be there to turn them off. They are among the millions of Americans who patrol our streets, harvest our food and care for our loved ones. They are our nation's backbone, the bedrock of our cherished ethic of perseverance. My friends, let's let all of America's workers know: they are in the house tonight!

Yet after eight years of failed economic policies-policies Senator McCain has promised to continue-so many of these folks are feeling invisible and insecure. Over the past eight years, family incomes have dropped $1,000. In just the last six months, 460,000 people have lost their jobs. More than a million family homes are in foreclosure. Record deficit - record and growing debt. Republican fiscal policy - the "gift" that keeps on giving!

If that's what Republicans mean by con-serv-atism, then we'll have no more of the con that they're serving! That's why we need Barack Obama. Because he'll take on the naysayers and the special interests. He'll fight for the forgotten middle class.

Just as our beloved Cesar Chavez dared farmworkers to believe, "si se puede!"... "yes, we can." Barack Obama will say to every American that if you work your heart out every day-if you leave it all at the construction site, in the laboratory, in the classroom, at the operating table-then we'll help you open the door to college and to the doctor's office. We'll help you save for the down payment or a dignified retirement. We'll help you build a better life for your family.

I am the proud son of immigrants, a former member of Local 187 of the laborers union in California, first in my family to receive a university diploma, privileged to have served 16 years in the people's house representing the great city of Los Angeles. And there is a saying I've always believed in: dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres. Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.

Well, my friends, I know with whom I walk. I walk with those who build and drive, cook and clean, feed and bathe, protect and serve. And, my fellow Americans, in January, 2009, we will finally have a leader who walks with us-the next President of the United States, Barack Obama!