Speech #810251182

I am very happy to support this legislation. The present amendments have considerably liberalized the old law of 1948. and this should be a source of gratification to us all for two reasons: In the first place. because we are thus reaffirming the traditional American policy of giving refuge to persecuted and helpless minorities. in the Second place. because to the extent in which we relieve the situation of the DPs we are also contributing to the solution of the predicament of Europes overpopulation. Moreover. the United States opens its doors to a new and important quota of immigrants who. over and above this. will be loyal Americans and even more ardent in their love of democracy for having been the victims of dictatorial governments and for having realized by sad experience how much more precious than life itself is the supreme boon of liberty. I am therefore of the opinion that Congress has accomplished an excellent work in the interest of all concerned and that we must therefore pass the bill. which Is laid before us. However. there is one remark I should like to make. not so much to point out an omission in its provision. but to call attention to the fact that the bill. by limiting itself in section 16 to suggest an International conference for the resettlement of the DPs of German ethnic origin only. covers but one side of the serious question of overpopulation in Europe.