Speech #870270209

Messages. recommendations. and proposals on a multitude of topics have flowed from the White House to the Capitol since President Kennedy took office. Yet on one of the major subjects of domestic and foreign policyimmigrationthe administration has been strangely silent. President Eisenhower sent three special messages to Congress in 1956. 1957. and 1960. proposing basic amendments to improve the operation of our immigration system. especially the highly discriminatory national origins quota formula. Unfortunately. the recommendations of President Eisenhower were paid little heed by the controlling leadership in Congress. Perhaps this explains why we have not heard from President Kennedy on the subject of immigration. It would not improve his box score to recommend legislation knowing that a Congress heavily dominated by his own party will not act upon his recommendation. This might be wise politics. but how at variance it is with the promise written into the 1960 Democratic Platform. thatWe are confident that a Democratic President in cooperation with Democratic Congresses will again implant a humanitarian and liberal spirit in our Nations immigration and citizenship policies. Mr. Speaker. we are approaching the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the McCarranWalter Act.