[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 52 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3801-S3802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CITIZENSHIP U.S.A. DAY IN CHICAGO

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, our Nation's immigrant heritage is 
exemplified best in the city of Chicago. Generations of immigrants, 
from Europe, Latin America, and more recently Asia and Africa have 
chosen to come to Chicago and have contributed immensely to the 
vitality and fabric that makes it such a great city.
  Recently, the city of Chicago sponsored a naturalization ceremony for 
1,200 new citizens at historic Navy Pier with the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service Chicago District Office.
  To help immigrants fully integrate into our city and our society, 
Mayor Richard M. Daley established a citizenship assistance council to 
help thousands of immigrants complete the often complicated 
naturalization process. The council has attracted leaders from various 
ethnic communities and corporate leaders from Fannie Mae, United 
Airlines, and First Chicago. Through the citizenship council, Mayor 
Daley has committed to sponsor several large scale citizenship 
ceremonies with INS in the coming months.
  The naturalization program in the city of Chicago is truly a joint 
effort between the Federal and local government. I applaud Mayor 
Daley's effort

[[Page S3802]]

and ask that his speech welcoming the new U.S. citizens on March 18, 
1996, and his proclamation declaring the day to be Citizenship U.S.A. 
Day in Chicago be printed in the Record.
  The material follows:

   Mayor Richard M. Daley's Remarks, Chicago Citizenship Assistance 
           Council--Naturalization Ceremony, March  18, 1996

       I want to begin by congratulating everyone here on becoming 
     United States citizens.
       As Mayor, I attend many events--but swearing-in ceremonies 
     are always very special.
       Two years ago, I formed Chicago's Citizenship Assistance 
     Council to coordinate the efforts of community groups that 
     help immigrants become citizens. Today's ceremony is made 
     possible thanks to a strong partnership among the Citizenship 
     Assistance Council, the federal government, and the private 
     sector.
       Together, we are working to help the INS relieve the 
     backlog of over 50,000 citizenship applications in the 
     Chicago area. People have been waiting for as long as 17 
     months to be sworn in as citizens.
       Throughout the year, we will work with the INS to increase 
     the number of swearing-in ceremonies to help speed up the 
     process.
       We will conduct several large-scale citizenship ceremonies 
     in the summer and fall.
       Our corporate leaders on the Council include Fannie Mae, 
     United Airlines, and First Chicago.
       They will provide assistance in finding the necessary 
     facilities and help to cover associated costs.
       This is a wonderful example of how local and federal 
     government can work with the private sector to get the job 
     done.
       Immigrants built Chicago and our country. And the business 
     community understands this better than anyone.
       America has always been strong because we have been a 
     beacon for people who want to work hard, make something of 
     their lives, and become Americans. We lose part of our 
     national character when we shut ourselves off to different 
     cultures.
       Some politicians are trying to use immigrants as 
     scapegoats. They have gone beyond blaming illegal immigrants 
     for our problems--now they are even calling for more 
     restrictions on legal immigration.
       Legislation now pending before Congress would keep U.S. 
     citizens from bringing their parents or children to this 
     country.
       This is wrong and unfair because it tears families apart 
     and it sends the wrong message.
       Proposed restrictions on employment-related immigration 
     will also damage our country.
       A flexible legal immigration system is essential to our 
     economic growth and well-being.
       Until last week, these restrictions were found in one piece 
     of legislation that dealt with all aspects of immigration.
       I want to thank Senator Paul Simon for helping to 
     restructure that legislation into two bills--so that they 
     address legal and illegal immigration separately.
       And, I want to encourage the members of the House to do the 
     same thing when the issue comes up for debate.
       Immigrants help build this country--and they are still 
     making us strong. We can't turn our backs on them now.
       I urge Congress to keep this in mind as they debate 
     restrictions on immigration.
       Now, I'd like to read a proclamation designating March 18th 
     as ``Citizenship U.S.A. Day'' in Chicago.
                                                                    ____

                                              Office of the Mayor,


                                              City of Chicago,

                                      Chicago, IL, March 14, 1996.

                              Proclamation

       Whereas, thousands of people have left their homes in other 
     lands to come and live in America; and
       Whereas, these immigrants have contributed their dreams, 
     labor, and talents to making America a great country filled 
     with opportunity and freedom; and
       Whereas, these same people wish to show their commitment to 
     their new country by pledging allegiance as new citizens; and
       Whereas, today, we acknowledge the dedication of 
     Commissioner Doris Meissner and the Immigration and 
     Naturalization Service in assisting immigrants through the 
     naturalization process; and
       Whereas, Commissioner Meissner has made citizenship a 
     priority, and has charged the Immigration Service to make 
     major improvements in the processing of applications, working 
     side by side with local governments and community 
     organizations:
       Now, Therefore, I, Richard M. Daley, Mayor of the City of 
     Chicago, do hereby proclaim March 18, 1996, to be Citizenship 
     U.S.A. Day in Chicago, and extend the City of Chicago's 
     appreciation to Commissioner Meissner for helping to make 
     thousands of immigrants' dreams come true.
                                                 Richard M. Daley,

     Mayor.

                          ____________________