Speech #900306104

Stores owned by small shopkeepers have been destroyed. What is urgently needed now is resettlement. lest temporary shelters become permanent and before the hopes of these victims for a new life are turned to despair and hopelessness. More than 50 Members of this House have sponsored bills to establish special quotas to permit Sicilian refugees to immigrate into the United States. Approval of any one of those bills would not represent a departure from American immigration policy. Ample precedent for such legislation is found in Public Law 85892. which provided immigration visas for the victims of earthquake and volcanic eruptions which plagued the Azores in 1957 and in 1958. In fact the United States has traditionally opened its doors to the victims of natural disaster. Concern over the tragic plight of the people in Sicily is shared by all Americans. Throughout our history. the sons and daughters of Italy have contributed to the wealth and to the culture of America. Indeed. many of the victims have relatives who are citizens of the United States. but are unable to come here because the Italian Immigration quota is so heavily oversubscribed. In light of the traditional humanitarian policies we have always followed in connection with immigration. I think it imperative that we act favorably on providing immigration aid to the victims of the Sicilian earthquake before the calendar brings to an end of the 90th Congress. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESWednesday. September 4. 1968 The House met at 12 oclock noon.