Speech #860267452

President. the distinguished Senator from Hawaii has just made a very interesting and inspiring speech. He is one of the ablest Members of the Senate. He has raised some interesting questions which will have the full study of the Subcommittee on Immigration. The Joint resolution had been agreed upon before we received a letter. on May 19. 1960. from the distinguished Senator from Hawaii. The purpose of the joint resolution is to cure the European refugee problem. That is all it does. There are a million refugees in Hong Kong. If we were to take a million refugees from Hong Kong. a million additional refugees would take their places. It is the opinion of the Senator from Mississippi that the oriental people are a great people. They are an intelligent people. They are a fine people. We wholeheartedly desire their friendship. I deny any implication that the United States has not been good. in immigration matters. to the people of the Orient. From 1931 to 1940. the total immigration from Asia was approximately 15.000 persons. Leaving out the war years and those immediately following. 42.000 orientals were admitted to the United States for permanent residence in the first 5 years of the MeCarranWalter Act. In the past several years. 116.000 persons from the Orient have been admitted to the United States. No one can say that we have not been good to the people of the Orient. The distinguished Senator from Hawaii has raised some very important and Interesting questions. They will have the full consideration of the Subcommittee on Immigration.