Speech #940054377

Speaker. no one has ever suggested that questions of moral propriety exist In the cast of Ireland. Indeed. the currently imposed job skill criteria files in the face of our national experience. which has been based on allowing in willing hands regardless of skills. Ours is still the land of opportunity. and to suggest that a wouldbe Irish immigrant does not fit some particular job classification is both contradictory to our national experience. and truly selfdefeating. Accordingly. I am today sponsoring an amendment to the Immigration Act of 1965 dealing specifically with Ireland. a land where so many Americans have their roots. and which would immediately authorize 2.000 emergency immigrant visas for the Republic of Ireland. This is necessary because the 1965 law has virtually shutoff Irish immigration except by a very few. fortunate. elite. I know that this House will again urge upon our colleagues in the Senate that we jointly act to open the door for fuller immigration from the land which has provided children whose record is as bright as any in America. From the mass migrations of the 1840salso conducted without reservations on job skills and other arbitrary limitations. I should addour Nation was enriched by the addition of men and women who became outstanding leaders on both sides of the Civil War. who became leaders of science and industry. and who in the last few years have sent distinguished Sons of Ireland to grace the White House. and the pinnacles of leadership in this House. IrishAmericans have set a citizenship second to none in our Nation. Mr. Speaker. and I respectfully urge my colleagues today to once again move to rectify the discriminatory provisions of the Immigration Act of 1965. I have twice visited Ireland myself. and I know that when there. I am among brothers and sistersmothers and fathersto us.