Speech #820229951

I am opposed to this conference report and shall vote against it. I would not want my opposition to the report. however. and to the bill. to reflect in any manner upon my admiration and respect for Judge WALTER for whom I have the highest regard. To my mind. there is no one in the House who possesses his knowledge. his experience. and general understanding of our immigration laws and policies. I believe he has attempted in a very expert way to deal with one of the most complicated issues with which this Congress is confronted. In good conscience. however. I must respectfully disagree with my good friend and I must vote against the conference report because I believe that the bill closes our door to the peoples of overpopulated lands who have much to offer our country. Of course we must have limits to our immigration quotas but such limitations must be reasonable and fair. The limitations proposed in this bill continue an unnatural. inflexible and unrealistic separate quota system inaugurated in an antiimmigration period of 1924. This bill throws away a golden opportunity to cooperate with other peoples who are opposed to the threat of Soviet domination. It could offer the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that we practice the principles of justice which we preach that we are a nation of warmth. of friendship. and sympathy.