Its provisions strengthen national security and protect each American worker. Mr. Speaker. this legislation will completely sweep away discrimination on account of race. national origin. and geographic location of birth in our immigration laws. Let me address myself to the concern expressed by the gentleman from Texas . and the gentleman from New York . Mr. GONZALEZ expressed his reservation about a ceiling of 120.000 annually on Western Hemisphere immigration. a ceiling which will exclude immediate family members. Mr. GILBERT expressed his concern about the reaction of our friends south of the Rio Grande and in the Caribbean to this new development in our immigration policy. Let me point out to these gentlemen and to all Members of the House that this conference report treats immigrants from the Western Hemisphere more favorably than immigrants from anywhere else in the world in three respects: First. by giving 120.000 numbers to the Western Hemisphere favoritism is shown in relationship to the 170.000 numbers given to the rest of the world. second. no country of the Western Hemisphere will be subject to the 20.000 per country limit that will apply to our historic friends and allies across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. and. third. the requirements of the preference system will not apply to the countries of the Western Hemisphere. In view of these facts it is important to point out that the acceptance of the worldwide ceiling concept. with the inclusion of immigrants from all countries under a numerical limitation. is not a new idea nor is it original with me. Ten years ago. in February of 1955. a group of Congressmen and Senators. whom I am sure most of us would agree were outstanding men despite disagreement with their political philosophies. offered a comprehensive immigration bill. Members will find in the RECORD of February 25. 1955. an address by the then Senator from New York. Mr.
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