Mr. Speaker. the House Committee on Immigration and Naturalization. of which I am a member. has had under consideration for the past month the question of whether Congress should repeal the Chinese exclusion laws. and at the same time permit the entry of Chinbse into this countryon a quota basis similar to that used for the entry of Europeans. Numerous witnesses favoring this legislation testified before our committee. On Monday of this week the committee favorably reported a bill which woul repeal that part of the exclusion law which specifically oxcludes the Chinese but which would grant them no naturalization or quota privileges and hence leave them in substantially the same position as other Asiatics. I attended all of the committee hearings upon this subject. I can say in all sincerity that I have been able to approach the problem with an open mind. I have no prejudice against the Chinese as a race and have nothing but admiration for the gallant and courageous figlit they have made against a deadly enemy. Certainly every American respects and appreciates their national courage. I re-. peat that I have endeavored to look at this problem with all the fairness at my command and I have reached the conclusion that. no matter what basic considerations may be involved. this is not the time to change our immigration policy either with respect tothe Chinese or any other people. Upon that primary ground I am opposed to this legislation. Putting the matter in simple language. these bills contemplate a complete reversal of a wellestablished immigration policy o- sixtysome years standing. That much is undisputed. It is also undisputed that the legislation necessarily requires Congress to make this decision in the midst of a war in which almost every nation on the face of the globe is engaged.
Keywords matched
Immigration Naturalization immigration naturalization Asiatics Chinese exclusion