Chairman. I have observedand tried my best to relievethe fears and anxieties among many of my constituents who were seeking to bring their loved ones to join them in their chosen homeland only to be frustrated by oversubscribed quotas. And I have seen our country deprived of the talents of skilled doctors. scientists. engineers. and educators as well as those whose crafts were greatly in demand. because of a rigid quota system which denied them the opportunity to realize their deepest ambitions to become Americans. This has been the fault. of course. of the archaic and essentially unjust national origins quota system. And it is the elimination of this system which is the heart and soul of the present legislation. The bill now before us will not open the floodgates of unrestricted immigration. as some of our people have feared. But it will place immigration to the United States on a more rational and equitable basis--consistent with our national interests and our humanitarian idealswithout discrimination on the basis of race. color. religion. or national origin. It will recognize our character as a nation composed of the peoples of all the nations of the world. our role as the leader of the free world. and our commitment to freedom and justice for everyone. everywhere. In addition. Mr. Chairman. the pending bill contains provisions which will protect the security of the United States. assure intending immigrants of available employment opportunities. protect American workers against unemployment resulting from excessive or unwise immigration. and put an end to a system which encouraged favoritism and the resort to special legislation. The new law will establish legal standardsfair and compassionate and reasonable standardswhich will apply equitably to all Intending immigrants - and which will place our immigration policy on a workable and unassailable basis for all the world to see. I am proud to support this legislation. Mr.
Keywords matched
quota system immigration national origins quota immigrants