Speech #920162874

Speaker. I deeply appreciate my colleague. the gentleman from Illinois yielding to me. and I want to commend and compliment the gentleman for taking this special order to pay tribute to a colleague of ours in the House. who is the second American in 20 years to chair this Intergovernmental Committee on European Migration. I understand this committee is 20 years old. and over the years all of us are familiar with the great and outstanding job it has done throughout the world on the refugee and migration problems. It is only fitting that our colleague. PETER RODINO. should chair that committee. because all of us are acquainted with the work he has done in the House over the years on the House Committee on the Judiciary. along with our other colleagues on that committee. and also the great bill that was brought to this House by that committee in 1964. the Immigration and Nationality Act amendments. In addition. PETER RODINO. who has always taken an active interest in the human aspects of legislation. was well equipped to preside over the affairs of ICEM which is devoted exclusively to the consideration of human problems. Our distinguished colleague has compiled an outstanding record of supporting and defending the fundamental rights of man. In chairing the Subcommittee on Immigration and Nationality. he has effectively demonstrated his belief in the principle of "freedom of movement" for all men. His dedicatfon and unselfish participation and support of ICEM and the humanitarian principles on which it was founded has contributed immeasurably to the remarkable record of achievements of this international organization. I congratulate the gentleman from New Jersey . who has a deeply rooted and sincere interest in the problems of refugees and migrants. I also congratulate all of the other members of the Committee on the Judiciary who have. along with PETE RODINO. attended this meeting. All of them made tremendous contributions in helping to correct and to alleviate this problem.