Speech #980214457

As has already been pointed out. the House passed last November. House Concurrent Resolution 196. calling upon the President to study the advisability of proposing to Mexico the establishment of a PeopletoPeople Program. I believe this proposal would contribute to increased cooperation between the United States and Mexico and would serve as a useful mechanism to find ways of dealing with the overwhelming immigration issue facing our country. The only way we are going to have an effective means of controlling illegal immigration into the United States from Mexico is to have the cooperation of Mexico in helping to stem the tide. It will also require greater economic development in Mexico to provide the employment and improved living opportunities to encourage the Mexicans to stay at home. To achieve that will require financial and technical assistance. and the PeopletoPeople Program offers the possibility of serving as the coordinating organization that would make such cooperation work.