Speech #880287826

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 and fiscal policies designed to stimulate economic growth. That we have made progress in these areas is on the record for all to see. but with no appreciable help from the Republican ticket. And in my book. selective immigration. on a new and rational basis. can assist this growth. Mr. President. 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 free and democratic society. Mr. President. the objectives of the bipartisan immigration program. berated by the Republican vicepresidential nominee in fashion designed to play on economic fears and ancient prejudices are modest and right and very American. That is why it claims such widespread support in Americas mainstream of morality and commonsense. What are these objectives? First. to strike from the law books an immigration policy which discriminates against immigrants from eastern and southern Europe. and which carries With it immoral concepts of race superiority. A newcomer should not arrive at our -Nations door. hat in hand. apologizing for his parentage or birthplace. We have every right to ask him "What can you contribute to America?" And if his contribution promises to be a constructive one. what matters where he comes from. This is the great vice of the national origins quota system. Second. to remove the difficulties confronting our citizens who seek to bring close relatives into this country. And what could be more just. more desirable and good for society than the preservation of the family unit? Third. to speed Americas growth rate by stressing the entry of skilled and professional persons. with a view toward contributing to national goals in such fields as defense. science. technology. public health. and cultural enrichment. Fourth. to provide a continuing and flexible authority for the admission of refugees from Communist tyrannyfor whom the national Republican nominees profess to have such sympathy. Mr. President. for Congress to pass an immigration bill with the objectives I have listed. would mark a great achievement for this Nation.. The people of this Nation expect their elected representatives to act with reason. and with faith in America. They expect us to act with skill and ingenuity. and with progress and compassion In the finest traditions of freedom and justice. Apparently there are those who do not agree with this traditional American approach to things. Mr. President. the Republican vice presidential nominee also had some things to say about the Cuban refugee program.. He said: We cannot continue to subsidizeach visiting Cuban family with checks from our Federal Treasury forever. . Well. no one. has suggested that. Mr. Presidentneither President Eisenhower. who began the program of asylum. nor President Kennedy or President Johnson. But America has given asylum to Cuban refugees and has sought to assist them to lead reasonably normal and productive lives while they remain the guests of America. Asylum for refugees is part of our tradition. To assist them is part of the effort for the security of freedom. Of the 250.000 Cubans in this country. most are contributing guests in our society. Only last week the Department of Health. Education. and Welfare informed me that less. than 25.000 remained on relief. and the number is decreasing daily. For the Republican nominee to suggest that Federalmoney is keeping the Cubans alive is an insult to the industrious refugee. a disservice to competent and experienced administrators of the Cuban refugee program. and a total lack of appreciation for the splendid efforts of Americas private voluntary agencies. civic organizations. religious organizations. and individual citizens who have seen fit to put their sense of democracy and freedom to work in a very concrete. living. practical way. As chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees. I assure the American people that the asylum program for Cuban refugees is a story of great success. something of which this Nation and its people should and could be proud. Especially to be commended are the voluntary agenciesCatholic Relief Services of the National Catholic Welfare Conference. Church World Service.