Speech #860034090

In essence. however. this would not correct the basic fallacy which eventually would have to be faced. If we are going to do anything at all we should remove the fallacy itself by doing away with the national origins principle. There are a thousand other technical difficulties involved in eliminating all of the objectionable features of the Immigration and Nationality Act. There is the need for more adequate procedural safeguards in the granting or withholding of visas and in exclusion and deportation proceedings. There is the subject of judicial review. I do not intend to enter into a discussion of these many issues today. My purpose in speaking today is merely to draw the attention of this House to the fact that the need to improve our immigration policies is still with us--indeed it is more pressing than ever. Most of the problems I mentioned have been carefully examined and provisions made for them in the bill I introduced. Many of the provisions of my bill are based upon the recommendations of the Presidents Commission on Immigration and Naturalization. This Commission. which was appointed by President Truman after the Immigration and Nationality Act was passed over his veto. made a thorough study of our immigration policies. It conducted extensive hearings throughout the country and heard scores of our most eminent leaders in the fields of religion. labor. and Government declare that those policies were outmoded and unjust. I would recommend as further reading to anyone interested in these basic issues the Commissions hearings and its report entitled "Whom We Shall Welcome." When I think of the need to rid our immigration laws of the discriminatory racist provisions of the national origins quota system. I cannot help but think at the same time of a statement by Abraham Lincoln. I was reminded of this statement recently as it was quoted again by numerous speakers on the occasion of Lincolns birthday. In the year 1855. Lincoln wrote to a friend: As a nation we began by declaring that "all men are created equal. except Negroes." When the knownothings get control it will read "all men are created equal except Negroes and foreigners and Catholics." When it comes to this. I shall prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty. There Is no excuse for not taking up the issue of immigration during this session of Congress. We must not delay any longer in putting the wheels of the legislative process into motion so that we may see done that which cries out to be done. I urge prompt action on this essential measure.