Speech #1010216625

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of H.R. 4300. the Family Unity and Employment Opportunity Immigration Act. Some of the debate surrounding this issue and some of the lobbying which has been undertaken by antiimmigration groups leads me to believe that Americans collectively. seem to have a limited memory regarding the principles upon which this country waw founded. All Americans owe their citizenship to immigration. Immigration built this Nation into the greatest country in the world. And. it should be noted that in proportion to our total population our current immigration levels are five times lower than they were at the peak immigration rates at the turn of the century. Our current immigration rate of three immigrants per thousand residents places the United States. the great melting pot. a mere seventh place internationally. If this country is to continue to advance economically. politically. and culturally. we must not fear the tal-