Speech #870298024

I join my other colleagues who have called for a full investigation of this matter by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. In closing. let me say that it is not an unfamiliar role for me in my service in the Senate to speak out in defense of those to whom an injustice is being done. in my judgment. and who at the time may not be popular. Several days ago I spoke at some length on the floor of the Senate about the unfair treatment and the correction of unfair procedures on the Department of Justice through the Immigration Service in connection with a man by the name of Mackie. who was deported to Finland. He happens to be a constituent of mine. He was found by the Immigration authorities supposedly to have been a Communist. although he denied It and signed affidavits that he never was a Communist. although the evidence showed that all he ever did was go to a few meetings in Portland. Oreg.. in the depths of the depression. which he thought would involve a discussion of relief and employment. He testified in that case that he was born of naturalized parents in Finland after his parents had left the United States with the other members of the family for a visit to Finland. His mother was pregnant at the time. She became ill in Finland and was not permitted to return to the United States until after the baby was born. He spent all his life in the United States. except for the first 10 months of his life. and at the age of 58 was deported to Finland because he was considered to be a Communist or one who associated with Communists at Communist meetings. I protested that procedure. I protested what I called a miscarriage of justice.