Speech #860193991

Asia. and the Pacific oceanic areas. He also made recommendations that would eliminate the socalled mortgage on quotas arrangement existing under the Displaced Persons Act. In addition. he noted the need for proper alien orphan adoption legislation. together with several other liberalizing features on our immigration policy. On May 21. 1957. in a message to the Congress. the President further urged contributions to the United Nations and other international programs in the field of technical operation. assistance to refugees. migrants. childrens welfare and assistance to escapees from Communist despotism. On March 13. 1959. the President again called for funds to continue the justmentioned programs. On May 21. 1959. the President held a conference at the White House on refugee problems and cited this countrys role in the World Refugee Year. On January 18. 1960. in his budget message for 1961. the President again requested funds to continue his mutual security program. The Chief Executive can urge laws but he cannot enact them. No one can fairly shift responsibility to the President for Congress inaction these past 8 years. On the contrary. It is plain from the record that the President has done everything which could reasonably be expected to center attention on the flaws in our present immigration policy. His efforts deserve recognition from all those interested in these objectives. If we had more action in Congress and less partisan backbiting. there would be no need for the Presidents constant reminders to us of our legislative responsibilities.