Mr. Chairman. I support the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida out of a respect for the proposition that has been advanced several times in the debate thus far. and that is that not to adopt the McCollum amendment would mean that thousands of people who are waiting patiently in nations around the globe to be processed for the ordinary and regular immigration policy standards that are now in effect will be jeopardized. I daresay set back for a generation. before they would be eligible for emigration to the United States from their respective countries. I. myself. as many of my colleagues who are Members of Congress. am a product of a sane and reasonable immigration policy. My parents came to this country because the United States had at that time. and still does. a reasonable. justly fashioned immigration policy. They waited their turn. They came to this Nation because they sought freedom. They sought freedom of opportunity. and they sought a better life for themselves and for whatever their progeny might have ambitions to gain. If. today. we do not adopt the McCollum amendment there will be future generations of naturalized American citizens who will be robbed of the opportunity to contribute to this country and to carve out that future for themselves that the Statue of Liberty beckons and guarantees. That is justification alone for considering a vote in favor of the amendment on the floor at this time. but there is a further bit of support that comes directly from the populace. directly from the American citizenry. Mr.
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immigration emigration naturalized