Speech #970226784

Despite the fact that some of us could not support the bill in its final form. the model which they have offered to us would be a wise one to follow in the future. Mr. President. it has become almost routine during the past few days of debate to commend the distinguished Senator from Wyoming on the outstanding work he and his colleagues have done to develop a responsible and positive approach to our Nations immigration problems. I hope that those who hear and read our remarks as this debate has progressed will not assume that the gratitude which has been expressed to Senator SIMPSON has been perfunctory. On the contrary. our praise for his efforts reflects the respect and gratitude we all feel. regardless of the side of the aisle on which we sit. for the highly responsible way in which he has approached the issues involved. and for the way in which he has conducted this debate. We owe no less respect and gratitude to the distinguished senior Senator from Massachusetts for his efforts to address basic issues of human rights and civil liberties. issues with which he has so long and so proudly been associatedand to the staff members of the Immigration Subcommittee who are. as Senator GOAssLY rightly pointed out last Thursday. among the most knowledgeable and hardworking staffs in the Senate. and who have helped those of us who do not sit on the Judiciary Committee to follow and better understand many of the complicated aspects of the issues involved in immigration reform. Mr. President. there are a number of controversial proposals in this bill: Employer sanctions. worker verification procedures. and a guestworker program that could bring 300.000 temporary workers to the United States. There are a number of positive reforms in this bill as well. The legalization program does not go as far as some of us would have preferred. and has emerged from this body as a less comprehensive and less efficient program than it had emerged from committeebut it is at least a step in the right direction. and will enable millions of people who have been contributing to our economy without benefits. but with daily fears and uncertainties. to step out from the shadows. Visa waivers for foreign tourists from selected countries will not only cut overseas visa operating costs. but will boost tourism and reduce redtape for visitors from countries which have long since eliminated visa redtape for Americans. Finally. the immigration ceilings in this bill not only reflect geographic realities but traditional American generosity. I wish I could say the same for the employer sanctions provisions which are the key to this bill. Mr.