Speech #760011933

The joint resolution (S. J. Res. 64) to authorize the admission into the United States of a limited number of German refugee children was read twice by its title. referred to the Committee on Immigration. and ordered to be printed in the RECORD. as follows: Whereas there is now in progress a worldwide effort to facilitate the emigration from Germany of men. women. and children of every race and creed suffering from conditions which compel them to seek refuge in otherlands. and Whereas the most pitiful and helpless sufferers are children of tender years. and Whereas the admission into the United States of a limited number of these children can be accomplished without any danger of their becoming public charges. or dislocating American industry or displacing American labor. and Whereas such action by the United States would constitute the most immediate and practical contribution by our libertyloving people to the cause of human freedom. to which we are inseverably bound by our institutions. our history. and our profoundest sentiments: Now. therefore. be it Resolved. etc.. That not more than 10.000 immigration visas may be issued during each of the calendar years 1939 and 1940. in addition to those authorized by existing law and notwithstanding any provisions of law regarding priorities or preferences. for the admission into the United States of children 14 years of age or under. who reside. or at any time since January 1. 1933. have resided. in any territory now incorporated in Germany. and who are otherwise eligible: Provided. That satisfactory assurances are given that such children will be supported and properly cared for through the voluntary action of responsible citizens or responsible private organizations of the United States. and consequently will not become public charges. The statements presented by Mr. WAGNER are as follows: The joint resolution I have just introduced authorizes the admission into the United States of 10.000 German refugee children of every race and creed. during each of the calendar years 1939 and 1940. Millions of innocent and defenseless men. women. and children in Germany today. of every race and creed. are suffering from conditions which compel them to seek refuge in other lands. Our hearts go out especially to the children of tender years. who are the most pitiful and helpless sufferers. The admission of a limited number of these children into the United States would release them from the prospect of a life without hope and without recourse. and enable them to grow up in an environment where the human spirit may survive and prosper. This resolution does not suspend existing quota restrictions on the immigration of adults. It merely authorizes the admission during a limited period of a limited number of refugee children. 14 years of age or under. This could readily be accomplished without their becoming public charges and without any danger of dislocating American Industry or displacing American labor. Their admission would be predicated on satisfactory and volintary undertakings by responsible American citizens or private organizations that adequate provision would be made for their maintenance and care in homes of their own faiths. Thousands of American families have already expressed their willingness to take refugee children into their homes. Recently 49 of the outstanding Catholic and Protestant prelates of the United States. including His Eminence Cardinal Mundelein. joined in a statement urging our people to join together without regard to race. religion or creed in offering refuge to children as a token of our sympathy and as a symbol of our faith in the ideals of human brotherhood. Both branches of the labor movement have now joined in expressing sympathy for this objective.