Speech #880297400

An Italian scientist or Greek craftsman or Polish engineer may bring more to our country than an unskilled -worker from some northern European country. Nevertheless. under existing law the unskilled worker would come first. Present immigration statutes judge men and women not on the basis of their worth. but on their place of birthin some cases on the place of birth of their ancestors. It is an affront to millions of Americans and to the people of many countries. Our immigration laws should be such that we ask the question. "What can you do for our country." not. "In what country were you born?" Although most Presidents since Woodrow Wilson have called upon the Congress to take corrective action. this administrations proposal to abolish the national origins quota system is the first time that a specific bill has been proposed to the Congress by a President. The law he seeks would squarely meet national needs and also be pleasing to foreign nationals. It recognizes that each immigrant has a special worth because of his potential contribution to the total manpower of our country and that he should be judged on his individual ability. The bill will provide flexibility in refugee policy. remove offensive Asiatic restrictions. and increase basic quotas for many new nations. Over a 5year period it would eliminate all quotas based on national origin. Each year the old quotas would be diminished by 20 percent. Then. the limit for any one country would be 10 percent of the entire immigration quota for 1 year. The total annual quota would be raised only slightly from the present 154.000 to approximately 164.000. People would be admitted on the basis of their skills. education. and training. Another governing factor would be the reunification of families now separated by our outmoded immigration laws. Mr. President. along with many of my colleagues I am cosponsor of the pending legislation proposed to carry out the recommendations of President Kennedy and President Johnson. I strongly urge that the administration immigration bill be given top priority for consideration when the next Congress convenes. We must right this wrong that stains our national conscience and blurs our image as the greatest democracy in the world. Let us remember at all times. we are the Nation which chiseled on our Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired. your poor.