Speech #990165692

Mr. President. I am very pleased to be one of the first cosponsors of Senate Joint Resolution 290. designating "July 4. 1986 as National Immigrants Day." I commend my colleague and very good friend. Senator DECoNcINI. for introducing this resolution. It is especially fitting that we should designate "July 4 this year as National Immigrants Day." If this resolution is enacted. as it should be. we will pay special tribute to those the Statue of Liberty has welcomed on the very day the restored statue is unveiled. The Statue of Liberty has been the eloquent symbol of freedom. hope. and opportunity for millions of immigrants for a century. True to that message. the United States continues to accept more legal immigrants and refugees for permanent resettlement than any other nation. Legal permanent admission to the United States reached 510.000 in 1984. There were 60.000 refugee admissions that same year. I cosponsor this resolution as the grandson of immigrants. and as one who recognizes that. if this country is to continue to welcome immigrants. we must bring immigration under control. Proclaiming National Immigrants Day will make clear to all that. even as we grapple with the very difficult problem of illegal immigration. and assert our sovereign right to control our borders. we are proud to remain a nation of opportunity and refuge. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor and support Senate Joint Resolution 290. Thank you.