Speech #690171074

Is it American to discriminate against women citizens and to separate them for many years from their husbands? Is it not in keeping with the American spirit and ideals to permit these husbands. wives. and children to immediately come to the United States so that the families can be united? The Senate and the House Committees on Immigration held hearings on the WadsworthPerlman bill. The opposition to this measure. In the main. was that it would permit a large influx of immigrants. Various estimates of the number that might come if the bill was passed were given. They ranged from 40.000 by former Commissioner of Immigration Henry H. Curran to 1.000.000 and over by some Nordic propagandists. At this time it is evident that the Immigration Committees of Congress will not favor any measure which will permit a large number to come to the United States. Realizing this. Senator WADSWORTH and I have introduced a new measure that should meet with general approval. It provides that husbands of American citizens and 35.000 wives and unmarried minor children of declarants who were admitted hito the United States prior to July 1. 1924. should be permitted to come as nonquota immigrants. One of the provisions of the first WadsworthPernman bill was to permit honorably discharged World War veterans now abroad and their wives and children to be admitted into the United States In excess of the quota. This relief has already been granted by Congress. It is well that all Americans should be inspired by the message on tolerance delivered by President Coolidge at the convention of the American Legion at Omaha. Nebr.. on October 6. 1925. I quote one of his statements: Whether one traces his Americanism back three centuries to the Mayflower. or three years to the steerage. is not. half so important as to whether his Americanism of today is real and genuine. No matter by what various crafts we come here. we are all now in the same boat. The early immigrants and their descendants and the socalled newer immigrants and their descendants have all contributed to make this country what it is today. the greatest country in the world. one to which all countries look for leadership and assistance. The country belongs to all American citizens. not to any one class or group. It is my hope that the members of the House Committee on Immigration and Naturalization and all other Members of the House will. when Congress reconvenes in December. follow the recommendation of President Coolidge and will then give favorable consideration to either my bill or any other bill that will unite families of all citizens and deserving declarants. That should be done for the honor of America. I shall continue my efforts in the coming session of Congress to the end that laws be passed to eliminate the hardships caused by the quota law.