Speech #1000059544

Mr. Speaker. much of the media discussion about the impact of immigration upon our society would lead one to believe that most newcomers to our society impose further burdens upon our already strapped resources. From my experiences. as the representative of a multiethnic and multiracial urban New York district. newcomers continue to infuse our society with greater vitality. intellectual vigor. business acumen. and cultural riches which are a net plus to our Nation. Even those who come to our shores as refugees in a few years are contributing more to our economy than they have received in benefits. One of the recognized experts in the field of immigration in the New York area is Mr. Carl Zuckerman. the executive vice president of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. HIAS is an outstanding private voluntary organization which has provided services to literally tens of thousands of newcomers to the United States for many decades and an agency which continues to develop innovative and cost effective training and resettlement programs for newcomers. Mr. Zuckerman. no stranger to anyone active in humanitarian and philanthropic work. now serves as the chairman of the Committee on Migration and Refugee Affairs of INTERACTION. the American Council for Voluntary International Action. the U.S. umbrella organization of voluntary agencies. Carl was recently interviewed. in his capacity as INTERACTION spokesman on these issues. by a United Nations publication. Refugee Magazine. to explain their views in support of increased immigration flows to the United States and a more generous and humane American asylum and refugee policy. Because of the important role that U.S. immigration policy plays in the lives and wellbeing of our Nation. as well as in the international community. I ask that Mr. Zuckermans very thoughtful views be included in todays Zuckerman. HIAS. and the other members of INTERACTION. for the excellent work they have done in reuniting separated families. encouraging generous voluntary support for social services to newcomers. but above all in helping to prepare "new Americans" to fully participate in the economic. civic. and social life of this great Nation. which truly remains a nation of immigrants.