Speech #870043750

This bill is identical to H.R. 6300. introduced by Congressman WALTER. of Pennsylvania. on April 13. During these troubled times. it is important that we reevaluate our national goals and policies. In a reappraisal of our foreign relations at this critical juncture. the need for reform in our immigration policies stands out. In my estimation. no more important service could be performed in the name of justice. humanity. and our own national selfinterest. than improvement of our immigration laws. We must not forget that those laws reflect. in large degree. the character of our Nation. The billions of dollars appropriated annually for foreign aid cannot offset the impressions caused by inequities and shortcomings in our immigration policies. There is much work to be done in the immigration field. but unfortunately. as in civil rights. progress is slow. If we want to continue to call the nonCommunist countries our friends. we must begin improvements. for prolonged delay would be a blow to our national prestige abroad. This bill.