Speech #1040272255

I must say. I am very pleased that the Gallegly amendment is out of this bill. I also think that fair changes have been made to the immigration bill. and I particularly thank the members of the Immigration Subcommittee. I think both you and I would agree that the markup of this bill on the Senate side was something very unusual. Members listened to each other. and it went on hour after hour. day after day. I think we produced a very good bill on the Senate side. This bill has been changed somewhat. I think it still remains a very strong Federal tool giving the Departments of the Federal Government both the license they need. as well as the tools they need. to see that we do what we should do: guarantee that the borders of our country are enforced against illegal immigration. I. for one. being the product of legal immigrants. really believe that it is important that the richness of our tapestry continue to be woven through people who come to this country from many other places. The fact that the legal immigration quotas remain as they are. extraordinarily broad. and I think liberal. is important. and that we say to the people of this Nation. "We are a nation of laws. and we will abide by them." I thank the committee. I particularly thank the chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee. Senator SIMPSON. who worked very hard and very diligently. who has studied this issue and which legislation bears his name. I think he has been a person of great integrity and credibility on the issue for a long. long time.