Speech #870299954

I commend the senior Senator from Rhode Island for the sponsorship of this measure. It will grant permanent residence status to several thousand highly skilled specialistsengineers. scientists. and others whose services are urgently needed in our economy. It also will make possible the reunification of several thousands of families presently separated because of the limitations of our general immigration statutes. This is the second time in the 87th Congress that it has been necessary to enact legislation to circumvent the strictures of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. I would like to note that similar legislative action has been necessary in every Congress which has convened since the 1952 act was passed. Obviously an act which requires supplemental action so frequently has failed to fulfill the requirements of public policy. and it is time that we reexamine it in its entirety. In March of this year. 25 Senators joined me in the sponsorship of S. 3043 to completely revise our present immigration quota system based on national origins. I have been greatly encouraged by the warm response the bill has met. It has received the endorsement of a number of the leading religious and social organizations active in the field of immigration. It has received favorable editorial comment in several of the leading newspapers and news magazines of the Nation. Most gratifying of all. has been the unsolicited responses of hundreds of individuals throughout the United States expressing their warm approval of a fairer and more equitable method of selecting those immigrants who will be welcomed to our shores. The bill introduced last March was the product of many months of painstaking study and extensive consultation with leading authorities in the immigration field. I believe it is a very good bill. Nevertheless. consultation has continued. The bill has provided a specific proposal which has stimulated broad public discussion and study of immigration policy. The months since its introduction have been most productive in creating public awareness of the need for a constructive forwardlooking immigration policy. When Congress reconvenes in January of 1963. I shall reintroduce the billpossibly with some minor changes prompted by the detailed study which has been possible over the past several months. The basic elements and objectives of the bill will remain unchanged. It is my hope that at the time of reintroduction of the bill many more Senators will join us In its sponsorship. I am convinced that the people of America will give their enthusiastic endorsement to an enlightened immigration policy which will better serve our Nation in the achievement of its goals.