Speech #1040192233

Without a doubt. our ability in the future to provide the basic necessities of life. to ensure adequate water and food supplies. to dispose of waste. to protect open spaces and agricultural land. to control water and air pollution. to fight crime and educate our children. is certain to be tested in ways we cannot even imagine. But however we look at it. our current rate of population growth clearly means that future generations of Americans cannot possibly have the quality of life that we ourselves have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed. The reductions in legal immigration in this bill are very reasonable. and humane. They are based on the wellthoughtout recommendations of the Jordan Commission. whose purpose was to develop an immigration policy that serves the best interests of our Nation as a whole. These proposed changes are designed to enhance the benefits of immigration. while protecting against the potential harms. Reducing the rate of legal immigration. as the bill in its current form would do. constitutes a modest. but absolutely essential. response to the enormous problems our children and grandchildren will face in the next century if we do not reduce the huge number of new residents the United States accepts each year. beginning now. I strongly urge Members to reject the ChryslerBermanBrownback amendment.