Speech #880136180

I would only recall that his 30 years of distinguished service in the U.S. House of Representatives was a very long one. I would recall his very impressive record of public service on many congressional committees. including the House Judiciary Committee and its Immigration and Naturalization Subcommittee. which latter committee brought him. as chairman. into such close touch with our work. I would also recall his consistent interest in the welfare of refugees and migrants. as well as the many international. as well as American. honors conferred upon him for his long and distinguished record of public service. All of this Is well known. Mr. Chairman. and I will not enlarge on It any further. One point which is perhaps less well known is that "Tad" Walter had a specially intimate link with the British Commonwealth through his having gone over to Britain in the First World War to become one of the early members of the adventurous band of young men who formed the Royal Flying Corps. In Australia. some 40 years after all this. we had the great pleasure of confirming this longstanding link when he visited Canberra in 1956 to attend the Annual Citizenship Convention and to see something of the execution of the program for settling refugees and migrants. which his vision had helped to make a practical reality. Among the many wise things Congressman Walter said at that convention was one which might well be a motto for this organization. These words were the following: "I can express." he said. "my firm conviction that the development of sound immigration policies. the determination of the number to be admitted and the qualifications required. and the political administration of immigration laws are functions of prime importance to the wellbeing and security of the state. and constitute a challenge to the best in service to his government on the part of the legislator and the administrator." My Government. Mr. Chairman. is honored to take part in this memorial session for a man who not only gave of his best In service to his own and other governments. but also provided a challenge to others to do likewise.