Speech #980005008

Let me say here that I wish to reemphasize my deep personal belief that no individual applying to this country lawfully in search of freedom and opportunity and desiring to integrate fully into American society should be discriminated against because of race. color. or religionwhich we have certainly sometimes done in our past. I say this to you because I realize that what I am about to say is directed to a most sensitive and complex issue and there is every risk of misunderstanding. If immigration is continued at a high level. but a substantial portion of these new persons and their descendants do not integrate fully into society. they may well create in America some of the same social. political. and economic problems which exist in the countries from which they have chosen to depart. Furthermore. if language and cultural separatism rise above a certain level. the unity and political stability of the Nation willin timebe seriously eroded. Pluralism within a united American nation has been our greatest strength. That unity comes from a common language and a core public culture of certain shared values. beliefs. customs. which make us distinctly "Americans." Mr. President. three successive administrations have attempted to reform our Nations immigration laws. PETER RODINO. chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary foresaw the problem more than 10 years ago when he guided immigration control legislation through both the 92d Congress and the 93d Congress only to see both initiatives die here in the Senate. Had that legislation been enacted into law. we would not be facing some of the serious problems confronting us today. The Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy spent 2% years studying the problem. and this bill follows many of its recommendations. The Senate and House Subcommittees on Immigration held extensive hearings on every aspect of the issue and solicited the opinions of a diverse group of concerned individuals. On August 17. 1982. during the 97th session of Congress. the Senate passed the bill 80 to 19. displaying a wide spectrum of support from many different constituencies. Both I and my fine colleague from the House.