Speech #830100536

Mr. Chairman. the gentleman from Pennsylvania . in speaking on the rule raised the question as to the origin of these refugees. He said that there is great confusion as to their geographic origins. I say to you that geography is not important. These people are refugees from hunger. they are refugees from oppression. from poverty. they are refugees from despair. In debate on the question of sustaining the Presidential veto on what is known as the McCarranWalter Act. the gentleman from Pennsylvania stated that a member of the Catholic clergy was buttonholing Members of Congress trying to Influence them in an improper way. That clergyman was Monsignor OGrady. What was this improper method Monsignor OGrady was using to influence Members of Congress? He said that these refugees were in distress and that we as a rich and strong Nation had an obligation to feed the hungry. to give drink to the thirsty. to clothe the naked. to ransom the captive. and to harbor the harborless. That was the improper appeal Monsignor OGrady made to this Congress with regard to the McCarranWalter bill. This is the same appeal which should be made here today.