[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 148 (Thursday, September 21, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13994-S13995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF OSCAR HANDLIN

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, September 29 is the 80th birthday of one 
of the Nation's great thinkers and historians, Oscar Handlin.
  For decades, our country has been blessed by his insights and 
scholarship on our origins as a nation and our character as a people. 
His lively view of our history shows how America has drawn on the 
strengths of many nationalities as generation after generation works to 
build a better future for their children. It is this enduring lesson of 
our history that has inspired him, throughout his career, to project an 
optimism regarding our future. As he has often said, ``Perhaps our 
brightest hope for the future lies in the lessons of the past.''
  Professor Handlin exhibited a scholar's curiosity and thirst for 
learning early in his extraordinary career. He completed college by the 
age of 19. Before turning 30, he was invited to join Harvard's faculty. 
At the time, he had not yet completed his doctorate.
  He was a distinguished professor of history and directed various 
scholarly institutes devoted to the study of American history and 
ideas. His outstanding leadership as director of Harvard's Center for 
the Study of Liberty in America and, later, the university's Charles 
Warren Center for Studies in American History produced a remarkable 
body of scholarly work and countless young scholars of American 
history.
  Professor Handlin is best known for his extensive works on 
immigration. Early in his career, he once said, ``I thought to write a 
history of immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants 
were American history.'' He has always maintained that America ``is not 
merely a nation, but a teeming nation of nations.''
  His doctoral dissertation analyzed the adjustment of immigrants in 
Boston. It was first published in 1941 and was republished on its 
fiftieth anniversary in 1991 because of the continuing public interest 
in his scholarship. His basic work on immigration, The ``Uprooted,'' 
was first published in 1951. It won the Pulitzer Prize and to this day 
is considered a classic on America's immigrant history. 

[[Page S 13995]]

  Professor Handlin's appealing writing style allowed him to touch a 
generation of Americans far beyond the confines of the academic world. 
His observations on our history dealt movingly with the experiences of 
immigrants from the beginning of our history. During his brilliant 
career, he published nearly a book a year, and each received wide 
acclaim.
  As he notes, Americans have argued over immigration for centuries. To 
those concerned that today's immigrants will not adjust to America and 
contribute to American life, he replies that in 1850, 27 languages were 
spoken in Boston. Yet, these immigrants quickly learned English and 
joined our communities, just as immigrants are doing today.
  When asked last month whether he still viewed our ethnic diversity a 
basic strength, he responded unequivocally, ``More so than ever.''
  As we consider immigration reform today, we would do well to keep 
Professor Handlin's insights in mind. I know my colleagues join me in 
commending the contributions of this great scholar and outstanding 
American. I wish many happy returns as he and his family celebrate his 
80th birthday this weekend.

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