Speech #880082239

This is a high priority in President Kennedys program. The solution liesin part at leastin training the unskilled. in removing racial bars to equal employment opportunities. and in expanding the economy through sound tax reform and fiscal policies designed to stimulate economic growth. Selective immigration. on a new basis. can assist this growth. It serves no useful purpose to make immigration the scapegoat for the problem of unemployment. Such reasoning only generates confusion. perpetuates our problems. creates a false issue. gives cause for doubt among our friends. and ammunition to our enemies on the claimed vitality of our democratic society. What is being said here today reminds me of President Kennedys words at Yale University over a year ago. They have a real relevance. Mr. President. to the current discussions on immigration policy. Mythology distracts us everywhereHe said. we must move on from the reassuring repetition of stale phrases to a new difficult essential confrontation with reality. And he Is right. The presence of racial. ethnic. social. economic. and political myths--in any segment of public policy--can only stifle Americas growth and keep us from broad areas of potential achievement. Including that of a just and practical immigration policy. There are morally sound and practical reasons to overhaul our basic immigration statute. The Senator from Hawaii has ably discussed some of these reasons today. And. again.