Speech #920027025

The need of enactment has. if anything. increased. If enacted into law. H.R. 1535 would amend the first proviso contained in paragraph (1) of section 312 fo the Immigration and Nationality Act8 U.S.C. 1423. 66 Stat. 239. That provision of existing law grants an exemption to applicants for naturalization from the requirement of understanding the English language. including the ability to read. write. and speak it. in order to qualify for naturalization. if they were over 50 years of age and had been living in the United States for periods totaling at least 20 years on December 24. 1952. the effective date of that act. The bill we are considering today would amend the foregoing by extending the exemption to applicants for naturalization who have attained that age and have completed such a period of residence in the United States as of the date of filing the petition for naturalization. Hence. the bill would have the effect of eliminating the "cutoff" date. Mr. Speaker. it was the spirit and intent of the Congress in enacting the original law that those aliens who had been in the United States for extended periods and had matured beyond middle age should be exempted from the obligation of learning to read. write. and speak the English language. Precisely because the previous reason is a sound one. it is even more proper today that this provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act should be modernized by bringing it up to date. If this bill becomes law. it would be particularly of benefit to those persons who. because of family obligations. the need and urgency of making a living. and also perhaps the unavailability of schools and teaching facilities. have been unable to acquire the ability to speak. read. and write English. This is particularly true in the outlying or rural areas. No possible harm could come to the United States from the enactment of this measure. It would permit the blessings of citizenship to be bestowed upon elderly. longtime residents who would. in every way. be otherwise required to comply with all the safety. security. and protective requirements of our naturalization law. In most cases these residents children are U.S. citizens. and have served in the Armed Forces. These children have fought and many have died for their country.