Speech #920027022

It must be remembered that from the beginning of the Republic until 1906 no law of the United States required a candidate for citizenship to understand the English language. From 1906 to 1940. the only literacy requirement was the ability to speak simple English. Not until 1940 did the naturalization statutes demand an ability to read and write. in addition to speaking the language. There is no basis upon which it can be properly assumed that those who were granted citizenship. although lacking the ability -to read and write English. have made poorer citizens or contributed less to this country than those naturalized at a time when such abilities had to be shown. Nor is there room for questioning the quality of the citizenship of those completely illiterate in the English language who nevertheless have qualified for naturalization under the 50/20year exemption. Sound consideration and equity. and the welfare of the country. demand that the longtime resident who. since December 24. 1952. has reached age 50 years and has been living here for 20 years or more should be recognized as deserving of citizenship as much as his neighbor who met the identical prerequisites as far back as December 24. 1952. Such a step would be consistent with the liberal and enlightened legislation enacted by the Congress in recent years providing under certain conditions for the suspension of literacy tests as a prerequisite to registration and voting. and making inapplicable a State literacy test requirement to anyone who has completed the sixth grade in a school in which the classroom language is other than English. The primary intent of this last provision was to enable Spanishspeaking Puerto Ricans to register and vote although they could not pass an English literacy test. While different considerations entered into the enactment of such legislation. the provisions nevertheless represent the policy of this Government to recognize that a nonEnglishspeaking citizen is as fully qualified and capable of exercising the franchise. and otherwise exercising rights of citizenship. as is a citizen literate in English.