Mr. President. it is especially fitting to say a few words about one of this years most significant legislative accomplishments. the reform of our immigration laws. We all have an interest in this subject if only because. in the phrase of President Kennedy. we are all. except for the Indians. a nation of immigrants or their descendants. But for 40 years. and despite the urging of four Presidents. our immigration laws contained the discriminatory national origins formula. emphasizing birthplace in choosing our immigrants rather than personal merit or family ties. The results were grotesque. A muchneeded scientific or medical research specialist would be kept out because he was born in a disfavored country. while an unskilled laborer from northern Europe would be welcomed.
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