Speech #970160712

John Gilligan. who now serves as head of the White Center for Law. Government and Human Rights at the law school. The students asked penetrating and pointed questions. indicating once again that the interest in immigration policy is widespread. I also had a chance to speak with university president. Father Theodore M. Hesburgh. who. among his many other accomplishments. served as chairman of the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy. The report of the select commission was an important element that went into the development of the SimpsonMazzoli immigration reform bill. I am pleased to report that Father Hesburgh strongly supports our bill. This man. who takes a back seat to no one in his support of civil rights. sees our bill as fair and compassionate. He testified last week at a joint hearing Senator SIMPSON and I held on our bill. and his eloquent endorsement of it was very gratifying. Father Teds backing for two major elements of our billsanctions against employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens and the development of a secure verification system so that employers will know who is eligible to workis testimony to the balanced approach Senator SIMPSON and I have taken in our legislation. I include in the RECORD following my statement the testimony Father Hesburgh delivered before our subcommittee April 20. I also include an article from the Notre Dame Observer prepared by a student staff writer.