Speech #1010217394

Chairman. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4300 and in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas . H.R. 4300 comprehensively and fairly addresses many problems in present immigration law. Although family reunification is an important component of the American immigration system. many other vital issues addressed by H.R. 4300 are essential to fair and sensible immigration policy. Particularly. the bills provisions enhancing the U.S. labor force and promoting cultural diversity must not be eliminated. The Bryant amendment eviscerates H.R. 4300 by dealing with only one aspect of immigration reform. It also undermines many hours of deliberations and diligent work on the part of the Judiciary Committee. as well as work done here in the Committee of the Whole. Immigrants who arrive on our shores specifically seeking employment are a particular boom to this Nations economy. As much recent data indicates. immigrants pay far more in taxes than they receive in benefits. In fact. tax and welfare data together indicate that. on balance. immigrants contribute an average of $1.300 per year to public coffers. Furthermore. children of immigrants have a higher labor force participation rate and greater propensity to start new businesses than children of nativeborn Americans. In addition. the Department of Labor projects 6.7 million new professional and managerial jobs will be created in the 1990s across the country. Unfortunately. the education and skills of the U.S. labor force will be unable to match labor market needs. This legislaitons employmentbased immigration provisions will supplement the threatening labor supply shortage. H.R. 4300 also balances the interests of all populations that seek to begin a new life in America. Passage of the Bryant amendment would continue the present system which over the past 25 years has denied access to certain groups. Mr. Chairman. we take pride in our Nations immigrant heritage. and immigrants have repaid this country by enriching it culturally and economically. I urge my colleagues to strengthen both family life and equality of opportunity in our immigration system by supporting H.R. 4300 and defeating the Bryant substitute.