Speech #880082690

I join both Senators in expressing appreciation of the fact that immigration legislation should be discussed on both sides of the aisle. Our immigration policy has been quite harmful in regard to international affairs. and very unjust at home. There are dozens of private bills on the calendar which show how unjust it has been. I have heard the Senator from Hawaii speak on this subject previously. with great eloquence. I know the country Is grateful to him for his remarks. I hope that we may take some resolution now. that we shall not any longer submit to the "holdups" at the point of a gun for an insignificant immigration amendment. with regard to the admittance of a few hundred people. in order to keep us away from the idea of doing something basic about immigration policy. I hope the Presidents message will signal that we shall no longer submit to that kind of blackmail. That is what I call it. I hope that we can face the issue of the immigration laws. rather than take stopgap measures. Since we are usually told if we do not take them the bill will be pulled off the calendar. which would hurt a few hundred people or 1.500 people. we submit. At least. that is what we have done.