Speech #760292329

A number of Filipinos who came to the United States obtained positions in the Government. and a limited number submitted to civilservice examinations and obtained civilservice ratings. Perhaps 200 of those who have a civilservice status are affected by the measure under consideration. This measure provides for the naturalization of various groups who are denominated in the measure asWhite persons. persons of African nativity or descent. and descendants of races indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. The bill. however. excludes Filipinos. even though they have a civilservice status. and have served the Government for many years. and are still occupying positions under civilservice rules and regulations. As will be observed. many groups and persons who are not citizens. who have not served the Government. and who do not have a civilservice status have the privilege of becoming naturalized citizens. Filipinos. however. regardless of their loyal service to the Government. are discriminated against and are denied the opportunity of becoming American citizens. I stated the number is very small. probably not more than 200. and they are discharging with fidelity the duties of the positions which they occupy. It was claimed by opponents of the proposition to permit the naturalization of the Filipinos referred to. that there were groups in other nationalities for .whom provision was not made for their naturalization. A sufficient answer to that contention is that those persons within the category last referred to were not denied because of their race or nationality the chance of becoming American citizens. The Filipinos may not be naturalized. whereas groups of various nationalities may become citizens of the United States. Hon. JOAQUIN MIGUEL ELIZALDE. the Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the United States. appeared before the conferees and submitted a plea in behalf of the naturalization of certain Filipinos who enjoy a civilservice status. He suggested an amendment providing that "nothing in the act shall prevent the naturalization of nativeborn Filipinos with full civilservice ratings who have been in the service of the Government for at least 3 years." His proposed amendment also covered other persons and groups as to which. as I understand. no controversy exists. The conference committee. however. refused to. accept the amendment to the conference report and it. therefore. contains no provision in behalf of the group covered by the proposed amendment. It seems to me that under all the circumstances the group -of Filipinos who are now in the civil service of the Government and enjoy a civilservice status. should not be denied the opportunity of becoming naturalized. Many of them. as I have indicated. have been in the United States for 15 or 20 yearsperhaps -some for a longer -period. A considerable number of them have married Americans and have children and homes. and constitute a part of the community in which they reside.