Speech #920194531

Mr. Chairman. I wholeheartedly support this bill because it removes two major inequities that have developed since we passed the 1965 amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act. Although this is a temporary measure which will be in effect for 4 years. It will provide relief to a substantial number of Irish and Italian aliens desiring to join their families who already are citizens of this country. During the past few years I have personally encountered situations for which the present law provides no remedy despite the merit of these cases. I am particularly pleased that the bill will provide special Visas for those seeking American citizenship. including spouses and children in a manner that is both fair and orderly under our immigration policy. It should be pointed out that the vast majority of immigrants from the two countries most affected. Italy and Ireland. have an enviable record in the performance of their responsibilities of citizenship over a period of many years. They have contributed substantially to the economic and cultural growth of our Nation. The Committee on the Judiciary should be commended for taking legislative action to remove the iniquitous situations which have culminated as a direct result of the discriminatory national origins system which provided disproportionate national quotas to govern the admission of immigrants without full regard to the reunification of families.