Speech #860024752

Mr. President. on behalf of myself. and my colleague. the junior Senator from Massachusetts . I introduce. for appropriate reference. a bill to amend the Refugee Relief Act. as amended. to provide a certain number of visas for persons of Armenian ethnic origin. There are many people of Armenian origin living in our country. They have made many splendid contributions to our Nation and to our cultuire. The bill I have introduced would permit them now to be reunited with their relatives abroad who have heretofore been denied admission into the United States. This legislation would correct an inequitable omission in the immigration laws which now prevent many worthy people from finding refuge in America with friends and relatives. To admit 10.000 refugees of Armenian origin. as provided by the amendment to the Refugee Relief Act which I am introducing. would remind people throughout the world that our Nation continues to be sensitive to the plight of the persecuted and to recognize the enrichment which results from sharing our life with deserving people less fortunate than we. Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent to have printed at the conclusion of my remarks a resolution favoring legislation like the bill which I have introduced. which was adopted by the Council for Immigration and Resettlement of Armenians. and submitted by the council to the Committee on the Judiciary on December 11. 1958.