Speech #1010249361

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of the conference report on immigration. I appreciate the work of the ranking minority member of the Immigration Subcommittee who has diligently addressed the issue of rules and laws how many should come to the United States. This country thrives on the new blood and vitality brought by immigrants. I believe that the conference report continues Americas longstanding commitment to immigration. Ten years ago I served on the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy. Which in 1980 made recommendations for changes in both legal and illegal immigration law and policy. Based upon the findings of the Commission. we tried in several Congresses to pass a bill on illegal migration. Finally. in 1986. we were successful and passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act. We then turned to the issue of legal migration. also studied by the Select Commission. As Father Hesburgh. the chairman of the Commission. said. "Once we closed the back door to Illegal immigration. we can open the front door a little wider." The Senate has passed a legal migration bill in these Congresses. only to have it die in the House. It is now time to complete that process by passing the legal immigration conference report. The conference committee worked hard to come to agreement on legal immigration. The House and Senate bills were very different. There are many compromises. The result in my judgement is a very good bill which enjoys broad bipartisan support. The conference report addresses three areas of legal migration: family unification. diversity and employmentbased immigration. The conference report enhances the unification of families who have been separated by their own unfortunate circumstances and by our immigration laws. We have been faithful in returning family unification as the cornerstone of American immigration law and policy. The conference agreement also addresses Americas business needs in order to compete in a global economy. At a time when the United States needs highly skilled workersscientists. engineers. computer experts. and other professionalsthe conference agreement responds to that need. By increasing the number of employmentbased visas from current law. the conference agreement allows business to obtain the necessary skills to help it remain competitive in the international economy. The conference report also creates opportunities to immigrate for natives of countries who are virtually shut out of the immigration system. The diversity program will allow these people to find their way back into the immigration flow which they have been excluded from for 25 or more years. This conference report is a true compromise and upholds the basic principles upon which U.S. Immigration laws rest. I urge my colleagues to Join me in supporting the legal immigration conference report. Chairman MORRISON and all members of the subcommittee should take pride in forming one of the truly first rate legislative efforts of this Congress.