Speech #660326063

The League of ForeignBorn Citizens has. tirdorsed the bill. The resolutions referred to are as follows: ". Whereas there is now pending before the Congress of the United States a bill known as the SmithTowner bill creating a department of education. with a secretaty in the Presidents Cabinet and authorizing an appropriation of $100.000.000 to encourage the States in the furtherance of education. and Whereas the passing of said bill will promote the education of native illiterates. of Dersons unable. to understand and use the English language. and of other resident persons of foreign birth will provide for cooperation with the States in the education of such persons in the English. language. the. fundamental. principles of government and citizenship. the elements of knowledge pertaining to selfsupport and home making. and In such other work as wtll assist in preparing such illiterates and foreignborn persons for successful living and intelligent American citizenship . and "Whereas the grave menace of illiteracy and of the nonassimilatlon of the foreign born was made strikingly mantfest during the war. and "Whereas no problem of reconstruction more tntirnutely concerns the development of a sound citizenship and a complete Americanism amongst the. peoples dwelling in our midst and "Whereas we believe that a great advance In solving the problem of illiteracy and building for a more complete Americanism will be accomplislhed. through the wider use of the common. language. English. as provided for in the proposed. law : Therefore be it "Resolved. That the League of Foreign Born Citizens. nmonberlng many thousands of peoples of different nationalities united in love and. loyalty to America and to Its. institutions. does hereby indorse and argo the passage of the SmithTowner bill. and be it further 1R csolved. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the members of the. committees of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. and to the Senators and Representatives from the State of New York : and be it further "Resolved. That the chairman of the committee on legislation.. or some other member to be designated by the 1residenlt. be present in Washington at any date or dates that may be axed for public hearings on said bill.