Speech #1040206074

Although we have some differences. we have a deep sense of mutual respect and friendship. which has been valuable to certainly me and. I think. to him. Why a Senator from Wyoming would be willing to take on this issue on Immigration has always been extraordinary and interesting to me. This is not a burning issue in his particular State. In my State of Massachusetts. they still remember the bitter whip of the national origin quota system that divided groups and communities on the basis of where one was born. Senators from the western part of the country remember the Asian Pacific triangle that discriminated on the basis of race and discriminated against Asians up until 1965. And in many parts of the country. in between. there are communities and families who have cared very deeply about this. Senator SIMPSON has seen the importance of this issue as a national issue and an issue for the country. This issue. as he has described it. involves so many different aspects of human emotions of passion. and discrimination. and reunification of families. and exploitation. and he has taken this on as a member of the Hesburgh Commission for Legal and Illegal Immigration. as a key figure. We passed the Refugee Act in 1980. and then in 1986. and in 1990. and now again. to deal with something. which is of Very important concern to all Americans. and that is the whole question of the illegals that come to this country. This legislation. I think. will be extremely important and. I believe. effective in stemming the tide of illegals. not just because of the expansion of the border patrols. although that will have some effect. and not just because of the increased penalties in smuggling. as all that will have an effect. it will have an important impact in helping American workers get jobs and be able to hold them and have the enhanced opportunity for employment. That. I think. is very. very important as well.