Mr. Speaker. January of 1992 will mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of Ellis Island as a doorway to immigration into this country. Today I am introducing legislation to commemorate January 1 as "National Ellis Island Day" in order to celebrate the importance of this great American symbol. Over 40 percent of Americans today can trace their roots to ancestors who passed through Ellis Island. It is here that "the tired. poor. huddled masses" of immigrants from all over the world took their first steps on American soil. steps toward the dream of a better life for themselves and their families. Since its opening last September. over half a million. 500.000. Americans have already visited the National Ellis Island Museum. walking through the same halls their ancestors had walked through. which processed some 12 million Americans "since January 1. 1892." Ellis Island is a symbol of the hope for freedom and prosperity which America offered to the world in the past and continues to offer today.
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immigration immigrants