Speech #890138046

President. at this point I wish to make some general comments on the bill. Mr. President. the bill before us presents Congress with the opportunity to adopt an equitable and enlightened immigration policya clear departure from the discriminatory national origins policy that is our present law. It presents us with the opportunity to prove to the rest of the world that the faith of our Founding Fathers has not been lost. And it grants a greater measure of hope to those in other lands who have long held the dream of becoming active participants in the oldest active democracy the world knows. The passage of this reform bill getting rid of quotas based on national origins gives me particular delight since my father. then a Member of Congress. opposed the basic restrictive nationalities immigration law when it came up some 45 years ago. Contrary to the opinions of some of the misinformed. this legislation does not open the floodgates. It increases our total quota of immigrants from approximately 158.000 to 170.000 per year. It still prefers those who have needed skills and who can contribute in a positive fashion to this Nations progress. It contains that longlacking element of humaneness which allows the reuniting of families. And it does away with the discrimination of a national origins system which states. in effect as well as in practice. that Southern and Eastern Europeans do not make as good citizens as Western and Northern Europeans--the Orwellian "All animals are equal. but some are more equal than others." When we go back to the question of why this original concept was put into effect. we realize how correct we are in urging the adoption of the present legislation before us. In 3 years. the question "Where were you born?" as a condition of entrance. will become academic. and this country will look instead to the relationship to U.S. citizens and resident aliens. to the professional and other high skills which are offered. and to the assistance of refugees from strifetom lands. This bill represents the progressive thinking of a country which has assumed the leadership of the free world. It is really a statement of faith that we mean to continue that leadership. and all the responsibilities and obligations which it entails. I intend to vote for this bill because I have seen firsthand. through my work as a Vice Consul in our Foreign Service and on the International Rescue Committee. the difficulties and untold hardships which confront refugees and those who wish to emigrate to the United States. Since my election as U.S. Senator from Rhode Island.