Speech #840152387

Basically all we are doing is to go back to the reorganization statute relating to the State Department which was passed. in 1951. as a result of the Hoover Commission recommendations. That statute gives the Secretary the authority to aline the agencies in the Department according to an administrative pattern which the Secretary may design in his own Department. That pattern was obstructed. or an impediment was placed in the way. by the Immigration and Nationality Act. which transferred the Passport Office to the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs. The bill merely provides that the Secretary of State shall have the power to place the Passport Office where he deems best in the Department. and to elevate the Office to one of service. rather than to have it simply in the status of a unit. and thereby give to it greater stature and positon in the Department of State. commensurate with its responsibility.