Speech #1020202409

I opposed that amendment when it came up. Go look at the people who opposed it. too. But I opposed it only because I believe it has no place on an immigration bill dealing with illegal immigration. Nonetheless. It passed this body by a 4to1 margin and. as I say. our departed friend Sam Hayakawa. rest his soul. led the debate on that. I also then remember the Jim Wright amendment to the SimpsonMazzoll immigration bill of 1986. That amendment. sponsored by the then House majority leader. became part of the House bill and was accepted by the Senate conferees in conference. It required any illegal immigrant receiving legalization to learn English before acquiring permanent status. Speaker Wright. as he later became. knew exactly what was required to make it in America: English. He was from Texas.