Speech #820209638

I dare anyone to stand up and say that I am. Mr. President. at this point let me say that S. 2550 wholly ignores the Presidents recent recommendation calling for the admission of more European refugees. This recommendation is aimed to meet an emergency situation created by overpopulation in certain parts of Europe and by the flight and expulsion of people from the oppressed countries of Eastern Europe. The President emphasized. and I agree with him. that this problem affects the peace and security of the free world. In keeping with our longestablished humanitarian traditions and also as a safeguard against the infiltration of communism in the western and southern European nations. it is imperative that emergency legislation carrying out the Presidents program should go hand in hand with any permanent immigration bill enacted at this session. Under the Presidents program we would admit 300.000 additional nonquota Immigrants over a 3year period. They would include 117.000 Germans who fled from behind the iron curtain to escape the brutal policies of Soviet tyranny. 117.000 Italians from Italy and Trieste. to alleviate the overpopulation and refugee problems to some extent. 22.500 persons from the Netherlands. 22.500 Greeks. and 21.000 other refugees from communism. If S. 2550 did no more than continue existing laws which virtually choke off the stream of immigrants to our shores. I would urge that it be rejected. I have no desire to lend my name to the reaffirmation of a formula which I feel is discredited. For. despite the claims of its sponsors. the bill which we have before us is not an innocent codification of legislation which Congress has already approved. Quite on the contrary. this bill proposes a host of unprecedented new restrictions which. without rhyme or reason. would bar deserving and useful immigrants from this country. In the Interest of national security. I feel compelled to register my strenuous objections to any such provisions.