Speech #1010170620

In April 1985. the Cookes flew back to Los Angeles. CA. where Tim began to receive immediate medical treatment. Abby entered the United States on a tourist visa because it was the most expeditious way that she could accompany her husband and daughter to Los Angeles. Two weeks after arriving in California. Abby returned to Taiwan to finish her final exams and receive her degree of bachelor of arts In journalism. She returned to her family In Los Angeles on May 28. 1985. to provide the love and emotional support for her terminally ill husband and care for their infant daughter. Abby had been granted a 1day visa. Under the mistaken belief that marriage In the United States automatically conferred legal status for an alien spouse. Abby and Tim were remarried on August 27. 1985. at the San Gabriel Hospital where Tim was dying of cancer. The reverend performing the wedding ceremony informed the Cookes that an immigration petition would have to be filed for Abby in order to legalize her immigration status in the United States. Tragically. Tim died on August 29. 1985. before he could file the proper immigration petition on his wifes behalf. Timothy Cookes death need not spell the end of his dream to have his wife and child live in America. The private relief bill that I have introduced today will grant Tims dying wish that Abby be given permanent resident status in the United States. I for one do not think that death should prevail and rob Kathryn of the opportunity to grow up in Americaa country her father fought for in Vietnam and later served as a Peace Corps volunteersimply because an immigration application for her mother was not filed on time with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. I also do not believe that the Cookes should be penalized because they did not understand the importance of maneuvering through the labyrinthian maze that has come to represent our immigration system. If it was not for the tragic and untimely death of Abbys husband on August 29. 1985. Abby would not only be a permanent resident today but would be well on her way to becoming an American citizen.