[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 10 (Thursday, January 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Gordon H. Smith):

  S. 247. A bill for the relief of Rose-Marie Barbeau-Quinn; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.


                       PRIVATE RELIEF LEGISLATION

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I introduce private relief 
legislation for Ms. Rose-Marie Barbeau-Quinn. Senator Hatfield 
championed Ms. Barbeau-Quinn's cause in the 104th Congress, and at his 
request and the request of many in the Portland area, I and Senator 
Smith are now picking up the legislation to make Ms. Barbeau-Quinn a 
citizen of this country.
  Ms. Barbeau-Quinn, a native of Canada, is a long time member of the 
Portland community and resident of Oregon. She lived in Portland with 
her now deceased husband, Mr. Michael Quinn since 1976, and together 
they ran the Vat and Tonsure Tavern, a unique and respected restaurant 
in the Portland area. While Ms. Barbeau-Quinn and her husband lived 
together for over 16 years, they did not actually marry until shortly 
before Michael Quinn's death in 1991.
  Since Oregon does not recognize common law marriage, and Ms. Barbeau-
Quinn was not married the 2 years required by immigration law, she has 
not been able to file for permanent residency in this country. While I 
do not intend to introduce many private relief bills, because of 
Senator Hatfield's involvement in this matter and Ms. Barbeau-Quinn's 
compelling case, I think it is appropriate that the Senate pass 
legislation to ensure that Ms. Barbeau-Quinn remains a member of the 
Portland community for many years to come.
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