Speech #760114107

I say this. knowing full well that in certain quarters there is a disposition to treat lightly the consideration and the passage of such bills by this House. I would not want to be misunderstood. I feel. as I am certain the large majority of Americans feel. that the naturalized citizens of this Republic are just as important to our Nation as are the nativeborn citizens. We are all descendants of those who came to our shores either at an early or a late date. and I feel that these individuals who come to America and embrace this country and its institutions of democracy are valuable and important to the Republic. I congratulate those persons who appreciate the land to which they have come to live. and figures show that applications for naturalization are increasing. These men and women become splendid and lawabiding citizens and contribute to the betterment of the United States. These people are awakening to the fact that they must protect their good names and not allow undesirable aliens to besmirch their fine citizenship record. I desire at this time to call attention to H. R. 4172. a measure which I introduced on February 15 of this year. The proposal calls for any alien who does not make declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States within 1 year after he becomes eligible to make such declaration or within 1 year after the enactment of this act. whichever is the later. that individual shall be taken into custody and deported by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the provisions of law relating to other deportable aliens.