Speech #970283251

Although I have not been able to devote full attention to the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. my interest there has focused on our relations with Mexico. Our two countries share difficult problems and it seems as though we Americans have a tendency to view our neighbors to the south with a paternalistic attitude. Nevertheless. we have addressed successfully matters of mutual concernfor example. a treaty about stolen cars and aircraft. But other important matters remain unresolved. As many of my colleagues know I labored long and hard on the illegal immigration issue. I was afraid that the U.S. Congress would come up with a solution without consulting the Mexicans about a mutually satisfactory solution.