Speech #900204449

I rise to speak again in support of H.R. 15147 which would provide that servicemen who fight for. but are not citizens of the United States. may more expeditiously acquire citizenship. I was one of the early sponsors of this legislation. and I want to commend the gentleman from Ohio. the Honorable MICHAEL J. FEIGHAN. the oustanding chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Nationality. as well as the gentleman from New York. the Honorable EMANUEL CELLER. the eminent chairman of the full Judiciary Committee. and my friend and colleague. the gentleman from New Jersey. the Honorable PETER W. RODINO. JR.. who is a member of the subcommittee and committee and has always been a champion of the cause of the immigrant. for the expeditious consideration which was extended to this legislation. Surely there is no need to argue the point that fighting men enlisted in our armed services have proven their devotion and loyalty to our country. Their gallantry in volunteering to risk their lives for American democracy before they are even citizens speaks for itself. Many of the alien volunteers will never benefit from this proposal. for they have already made the supreme sacrifice in defense of democracy and America. Our Nation has flourished through the loyalty. energy. and talents of the immigrants who came to its shores. Our country today Is a bastion for democracy and a bulwark against despotism because of the fine contributions which our immigrants have made to the growth and advancement of our beloved United States of America. Let us therefore take this opportunity to enrich our society by infusing into it the alien members of our fighting forces who demonstrate those qualities in such superlative degree. This proposal to facilitate their naturalization. needless to say. will be to our benefit as well as to theirs. H.R. 15147 will provide the following exceptions regarding naturalization of U.S. alien fighting men: First. they may be naturalized regardless of age. Second. the petition for naturalization may be filed in any court having jurisdiction. regardless of the petitioners domicile. Third. the petitioner may be naturalized immediately after his examination by a representatve of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Finally. and most importantly. no specified period of residence in the United States will be required. If the alien serviceman has been in the United States at the time of enlistment. he may avail himself of the exceptions even if he did not enter the United States for permanent residence.