Between 1892. when it was first opened to receive them. and 1954. when its closing marked the end of an era. Ellis Island was the threshold of a new life for more than 20 million people. Originally a picnic spot for Dutch colonists. it was pressed into service as a processing station for immigrants when existing facilities proved too small. The closing of Ellis Island in 1954 symbolized the recession of the greal immigration to our shores. Those whc passed through her gates went forth tc become part of the very fiber of this land In tribute to them and to their inestimable contribution. it is fitting that Ellit Island be preserved as a monument t( its own pastand to the futurewhici its people and all our immigrants built I believe that the memory of this histor. of Ellis Islandand all that it sym bolizesshould never be allowed to fade Perhaps more than any other monumen we have. it would well remind us that th nobility to which we have risen was bori of humble origins. On March 16. 1965. as I have men tioned. I introduced a bill to establish th CXI1034 Ellis Island National Historic Site.
Keywords matched
immigration immigrants