Speech #910019032

Mr. Speaker. Public Law 89236. which became fully effective on July 1 of last year. was designed to remove the national origin quota system. It was understood that many countries were not using their full quotas. and that these unused quotas would be shared among those nations which were oversubscribed with visa applications. Unfortunately. the law has not worked out as expected. and it has had a particularly adverse effect on immigrants from Ireland. To correct this inequity. I was pleased to join a number of my colleagues in cosponsoring H.R. 165. which would make additional visas available to Irish immigrants. Between 1956 and 1965. an average of 7.000 Irish immigrated to the United States. However. since the passage of the Immigration Act Amendments of 1965. Irish immigration has fallen off sharply. The State Department informs me that in the first 6 months of fiscal year 1969July 1968 through December 1968--only 500 visas were issued to Irish immigrants. It is greatly distressing to find that legislation enacted by Congress to rectify the injustices of our immigration system should bring about new injustices. Yet that is what has been done to the Irish who wish to come to our country. Unlike many other nationality groups. prospective Irish immigrants usually do not have close Immediate relatives in this country. such as parents. spouses. brothers. and sisters required by the new law. And there are very few nuclear physicists or computer experts to be found on the banks of the Shannon. Under the present law. it is next to impossible for most Irish men and women who want to come to the United States to qualify as skilled professionals or to obtain employment certification before arrival. However. there is no question that. once a position is obtained. the Irish immigrant is considered a very desirable and highly valued employee. Over the years Irish Americans have served this Nation with valor and distinction. A proud and hardworking race. they have traditionally disdained public welfare. upheld the mobility of labor. insisting on a full days work for a full days pay.