Speech #940064207

Mr. Speaker. the illegal alien problem in the United States has been with us for some time. but it has only been most recently that we have felt any particular strain because of their presence. During this time of recession and increased unemployment it becomes apparent that these people are taking American jobs. and when they cannot find jobs. American public assstance. It used to be argued that the jobs that these aliens had were subminimum wage jobs. but a recent study in U.S. News & World Report shows that the vast majority of aliens employed are in categories far above the minimum wage level. Think of it: alproximately 7 million illegal aliens. with an expected addition of about 2 million aliens in 1975. all competing for American jobs. and adding to the burdens of our already severely taxed economy. Recently Representative MARIo BIAGGI suggested that I join him in legislation that would go a long way in curbing the flow of illegal aliens into the United States. Among other provisions. the bill would make it a Federal offense for employers to knowingly hire illegal aliens. However. without the cooperation )f the business community it will be impossible to truly eliminate the illegal alien from the ranks of the already employed. That is why I heartily applaud the recent action taken by the National Can Corp.. in which they have promised an all out effort to eliminate the illegal alien employee in their business facilities. I am enclosing the details of the National Can Corp. proposal in hopes that it might prove the impetus for other business firms to do voluntarily what has to be done to make some inroads into the unemployment problem. The articles follow.