Speech #630424044

Mr. President. while this discussion was going on. and that is. What is the matter with our country now that this extraordinary literacy test should be Imposed upon our immigrants? In the city of New York we have a population 80 per cent of which consists either of foreign born or the children of foreign born. and yet I submit that we have one of the greatest cities. if not the greatest city in the world. and our illiteracy rate is lower today than it ever was in the history of our country. We have there a free collegethe College of the City of New Yorkwith which your Excellency is no doubt well acquainted. and of which I have the honor to be a graduate. And. by the way. I am a foreignera foreigner in the sense that I was born In a foreign country and came here as a young boy. In the College of the City of New York we have at least 90 per cent children of foreign born. and of that 90 per cent. I take it. 40 per cent at least are the children of illiterate foreigners who have come to our country to seek freedom and an opportunity to work out an existence under happier conditions. Now. no one. it seems to me. can contend in view of this experience within our own city. that this foreigner. llitterate though he may be. is a menace to our institutions. On the contrary. he is interested in them . he works in our industries to help build up our industries. and wants to give his children the best education possible. so that he may. if possible. become part of our institutions. So we feel that this proposed law is unAmerican . it is undemocratic. it is in violation of the fundamental principles upon which our Government was built . and we feel that if this literacy test should be imposed at this time it is not a test of character. it is not a test of intellect. for illiteracy does not necessarily mean ignorance . nor does it mean that the individual will not be useful in the community where he may resides. and it will deprive our country in the future of men the like of whom In the past have helped to build us up and make us great. In conclusion let me just say this: There are a number of refugees. no doubt. who will seek our shores just at this time. when their country Is in turmoil and strife. where they cue being oppressed. and they want to come to this country because we are enjoying peace and happiness and brotherly love. and largely due. entirely due. to your own efforts. - Representative GOLDFOGLE. Mr. President.