Marco Rubio Conjures his Family, Ronald Reagan and Exodus in Immigration Close

Relating his familys history and invoking the Statue of Liberty and the biblical Exodus, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., closed on his immigration reform bill in a speech on the Senate floor on Thursday afternoon.

No one should dispute that, like every sovereign nation, we have a right to control who comes in, Rubio said. But unlike other countries, we are not afraid of people coming in from other places. Instead, inspired by our Judeo-Christian principles, we Americans have seen the stranger and invited them in.

Rubio continued to play up the religious aspects of immigration reform, citing the 78th Psalm.

And our nation has been blessed for it, in ways that remind us of the ancient words, Rubio said. God divided the sea and led them through and made the waters stand up like a wall. By day he led them with a cloud; by night, with a light of fire. He split the rocks in desert. He gave them plentiful to drink as from the deep. He made streams flow out from the rock and made waters run down like rivers. He commanded the clouds above and opened the gates of heaven. He rained down manna for their food, and gave them bread from heaven.

Rubio also returned to one of the major themes he has focused on during his three years on the national stage -- American exceptionalism.

Our history is filled with evidence that Gods hand is upon our land. Who among us would dispute that we are a blessed people? Rubio asked before pointing to the Statue of Liberty. In the harbor of our most famous city, there is a statue of a woman holding a lamp, he said before reciting the famed inscription on the statue.

For over 200 years now, they have come. In search of liberty and freedom, for sure. But often simply looking for jobs to feed their kids and the chance of a better life, Rubio continued. From Ireland and Poland, from Germany and France. From Mexico and Cuba, they have come. They have come because in the land of their birth, their dreams were bigger than their opportunities. Here they brought their language and their customs. Their religions and their music. And somehow, made them ours as well. From a collection of people from everywhere, we became one people. The most exceptional nation in human history.

Rubio even conjured images used by the Puritans and Ronald Reagan as he continued his speech.

And even with all our challenges, we remain the shining city on the hill. We are still the hope of the world, Rubio said. Go to our factories and fields. Go to our kitchens and construction sites. Go to the cafeteria of this very Capitol. There, you will find that the miracle of America still lives. For here, in America, those who once had no hope, will give their children the life they once wanted for themselves. Here, in America, generations of unfulfilled dreams will finally come to pass.

I support this reform, Rubio said in conclusion. Not just because I believe in immigrants, but because I believe in America even more.

Rubios speech is already winning praise from pundits on the right with Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post calling it a speech for the ages.