Speech #890120678

Mr. Chairman. today and yesterday we have engaged in historic debate. And shortly we will make the decision as to whether the national origins quota systemthe underlying rule for this Nations immigration policy for the past 40 yearsshall be discontinued. This policy has been in existence since 1924 despite the vigorous opposition of those who know its faults. And this includes the last four Presidents of the United States. Now. in an era when we are increasing our attention to matters of equality and justice for all under the law. it is fitting that we are giving serious consideration to this system and to the means by which it may be improved. The national origins quota system was adopted during a time which I hope we never duplicate in our way of life. It was a time when we were striving to make a return to normalcy after the horrors of World War I. It was a time when we turned with disgust from the problems of the world and wished not to be bothered by them. It was a time when we turned blindly into ourselves and ignored the seemingly alien problems of the rest of the world until they finally boiled over into the caldron of the Second World War. During all these years the quota system was the basis for our immigration policy. And I will state unequivocally that this is one of the most unfair examples of U.S. policy toward other nations and other peoples that I have seen. Under this policy. nations of the world with burgeoning populations and with difficulties in employing and feeding their peoples. have the severest restrictions placed on their emigration to the United States. For example. India. with all her problems in coping with her population. can send only 200 people per year to this Nation.