Mr. President. immigrants no longer pass through the Great Hall on Ellis Island in New York or witness firsthand from steamer decks the Statue of Libertys light of freedom and welcome. But for all Americans. immigrants and visitors. Lady Liberty remains the preeminent symbol of the promise of American life. The statue represents hope and opportunity. racial harmony and compassion. The base of the statue appropriately houses the American Museum of Immigration. a museum which celebrates and commemorates the immigrants presence in our society. The statue belongs to all of us and Americans demonstrated their powerful feelings toward her in the outpouring of public donations which financed Lady Libertys dramatic renovation. Until last month. most visitors to the statue had to pay $3.25 per person to ride the ferry to Liberty Island. If they wanted to ride the elevator to the statues observation deck. they might have paid an additional quarter. But access to the statue itself and to the American Museum of Immigration was appropriately free. Starting last month. however. an entrance fee of $1 per person has been levied on each visitor to the statue or the Museum of Immigration. Mr. President. this new entrance fee. small though it is. is inappropriate and illconceived.
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Immigration immigrants