Speech #990012440

Mr. Speaker. the 98th Congress failed miserably to produce legislation in the nature of immigration reform. and because of that failure. our borders are still leaking. our borders are still the place where aliens cross on an hourly. a daily basis without restraint. Mr. Speaker. the 99th Congress must grapple with this important subJect and do it soon. It is estimated there are between 12 and 20 million illegal aliens in the United States. The treatment of their status alone requires our immediate attention. But beyond that. their presence in our country constitutes a possible attack on our economic recovery and. worst of all. it constitutes a possible danger to our national security. I urge us to do more than have bandaids at the border. but to produce big. bold action in immigration reform now. before it is too late.