Below are Senator Reid’s remarks from the event, as prepared for delivery:

“As you know, we just wrapped up a historic and Herculean effort to improve the lives of millions, help turn our economy around and finally do what we should have done decades ago.

Now it’s time to do it all over again.

The health care fight wasn’t easy.  This one won’t be either.  But we’ve learned a lot of lessons from the last year, none more important than this: When you and I work hard and work together, change is possible.

We saw how even in the face of aggressive opposition, we cannot take no for an answer.

We saw how important it is not to let myths and fear displace the facts.  And we know we cannot wait any longer to do what is long overdue.

Immigration reform, like health reform, is about doing what is right, even if it is hard.

It is about jobs.  It is about getting people back to work, getting our economy back on track and helping it grow.

We’re going to make sure the 12 million undocumented immigrants in America get right with the law and pay their fair share of taxes.  When they do, dishonest employers will no longer be able to exploit them or use them to undercut the wages and working conditions of those who follow the law.

It is about standing up for human rights, even if some try to stand in the way.

Immigration reform means stronger families, healthier families, a stronger economy and a healthier economy.  It means fairness for your families, and fulfilling the promise of a nation built by immigrants.

Like our health care system was, we all know our immigration system is badly broken.

It pits workers against each other.  It rewards employers who cut corners.  It separates families.  And it leaves millions of hard-working immigrants and their families without a way to become legalized so they can pay taxes and fully contribute to our society.

There are many ways to rebuild Nevada’s economy.  There is one sure way to not to: by refusing to fix what is broken, by delaying what is urgent, by only saying “no.”

I am committed to fixing our immigration system in a way that is fair, practical and tough on people who break the law. 

I am committed to:

• securing our borders;
• getting tough on employers who break the law;
• keeping families together and providing a path to legalization for those who work hard, pay taxes, pass background checks and learn English;
• expanding legal channels of immigration to relieve the pressure that leads people to come here illegally; and
• ensuring the next generation – though they may be undocumented through no fault of their own – can contribute to our economy and our society.  That’s why a comprehensive bill should include the DREAM Act

You can always count on me to be on your side as we do this.  It is one of the most important problems we need to address this year, and one of my top priorities.  You have my word that I will do everything in my power to make sure we will.

But a lot of what happens this year also rests in your hands.  As soon as this rally ends, I need you to start.  Get on the phone, go door-to-door and get the support of the other 99 Senators, Republicans and Democrats alike.

I know the Democrats in my caucus are eager to finally push immigration reform over the finish line – but we’ll need help from the other side, and we’ll need you to show them the way.

I know you’re up to the task.  I know you’ve been waiting for this moment to come.  It’s here.

Let me give you a quick update on where all this stands back in Washington.

I’ve devoted more hours on the Senate floor fighting for immigration reform than any other issue I can think of.  I’m going to keep going.  But first I need to have a bill that I can bring the floor. 

We deeply miss Senator Ted Kennedy, who looked out for the Hispanic community every day for more than 40 years as the Chairman of the Senate’s subcommittee on immigration.  But Senator Schumer is up to the task and is working with Senator Graham to take the lead in drafting this bill.

I look forward to seeing a bipartisan bill soon.  I hope it will pass through its committee and come to the Senate floor as quickly as possible.  As soon as it does, we will make sure it gets a full debate and a fair vote.

With your help, we will work fearlessly to end the climate of fear – and hold accountable those who spread it.

With your energy, we will work fairly to restore a sense of fairness in this country – justice for the American worker whose salary is undercut, and for the immigrant who is exploited.

And with your hard work, we will make sure our economy rewards hard work.  We will make sure our economy really works for all families, for all of our children and all of our grandchildren.

We can make the American Dream a reality this year.  But only if we start today.”