Speech #1050031828

Soon after my return from Mexico. I traveled to El Paso. TX. to take part in a naturalization ceremony at which 4.078 persons from 53 nations became United States citizens on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso. Taking part in this ceremony was particularly impressive for me both personallymy own father was an immigrant from Italyand professionallywhile in Congress. I was the coauthor of the SimpsonMazzoli bill. the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. under whose provisions many in that audience in El Paso were being naturalized. It is in these naturalization ceremonies that all the separate threads of the immigration story are woven into a complete garment. Naturalization programs give us a better purchase on the complex and complicated thing called immigration and they demonstrate that while every nation in history has had problems with migration and immigrationthe United States is no exception to this historical verity--our Nation has an opportunity and a solemn responsibility to address this vexing and challenging subject with balance. sensitivity. forbearance and charity. Where do we start? By continuing to work with Mexico to control illegal immigration. In 1981. Father Theodore M. Hesburgh. former president of the University of Notre Dame. and chair of President Carters Immigration Reform Commission said: "If we dont close the back doorcontrol illegal entry into the United Stateswe wont be able to keep open the front door." through which people enter the United States legally. The only way to avoid this undesirable result is to heed Father Teds prescient advice. By urging our legislators and the President to adopt a broad perspective on immigration and to oppose nativist. racist or meanspirited proposals despite their political and popular allure. By attending a naturalization ceremony. Normal ceremonies at the Federal courthouses may not be as large as the one in El Paso. but they are no less impressive. By attending a religious liturgy celebrating immigration such as those sponsored annually by the U.S. Catholic Conference during National Migration Week. By attending ethnic festivals in which the food and customs and heritage and music of immigrant people are showcased and good times are had by all. By attending programs such as those sponsored by churches and temples and mosques where newcomers are welcomed. counseled. and given help with language training. job and craft skills. and acculturation. By attending graduation programs at local high schools. colleges and universities. and noting the ethnic diversity of the academically distinguished graduates. Many of them are immigrants or the sons and daughters of recent immigrants. Immigration is fascinating and frustrating precisely because it is the story of the sweep of human history. It is the story of the nobility and of the fallibility of humankind. Rarely has a people had a greater opportunity to impress its hallmark on history and humankind than we in the United States possess here and now.