Speech #910019044

I would not have voted for the law in 1965 if I had known the result would be discrimination against the Irish. And so today we must change the law to remedy the situation. The legislation I have introduced. which has been introduced by many of my colleagues. would insure that no nation would suffer a severe reduction in its level of immigration to the United States as a result of the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. The bill provides for the establishment of a floor for every nation. which would be 75 percent of its immigration rate for the decade prior to the 1965 act. or 10.000. whichever is less. This bill is not a return to the old national origins quota system. It would not take away from the quotas of other nations. It would merely provide the Irish equality with other nations. Over the years Irish immigrants to the United States have given much and asked little. The legislation I have introduced asks little. but means a great deal to those friends of the United States in Ireland who wish to come to this country. I hope my colleagues in the House and the Senate will pass this important legislation immediately so that Irish immigration will not continue to decline as it has since the 1965 act.