[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H787-H789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          WE SHOULD VALUE AND CHERISH OUR NATION'S IMMIGRANTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 7, 1997, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Davis] is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to 
an all too familiar debate in our country, immigration and immigrants. 
This is an age-old topic that has taken many different faces since the 
founding of this Nation. Today the immigration debate seems to be 
focused on mostly Latino and Asian-American immigrants, or individuals 
from the Caribbean or African nations, people of color.
  However, I am concerned that the immigration issue is too often 
raised in a negative manner. Why is it that we cannot talk about 
immigrants without mentioning the undocumented, those who may not have 
complied with all of the rules and regulations? The politicizing of the 
immigration issues and programs like Citizenship U.S.A. made by certain 
groups have attempted to demonize immigrants.
  I submit that certain groups have been using immigrants as a 
scapegoat for years. Oftentimes they have been marginalized in the 
great divide between black and white. As illustrated in the words of 
W.E.B. DuBois, he pointed out that mass immigration hurt both black and 
white laborers, as he foreshadowed future events by noting the 
Republican Party platform of 1864, which advocated increased 
immigration in the interests of big business:

       A new flood of eager-to-work immigrant labor was brought 
     into the country to work

[[Page H788]]

     on the railroads and in the new industries. Northern mill 
     owners, who had feared free farms because they might decrease 
     the number of laborers and raise their wages, were appeased 
     by the promotion of alien immigration. It was interesting to 
     hear the Union Party, as the Republicans called themselves in 
     1864, say in their platform: ``Foreign immigration, which in 
     the past had added so much to the wealth and development of 
     resources and the increase of power to this Nation--the 
     aspirations of the oppressed of all nations should be 
     fostered and encouraged by a liberal and just policy.'' That 
     year the Bureau of Immigration was created. . . . In 1860 
     immigrants were coming in at a rate of 130,000 a year but the 
     new homestead laws began to attract them, so after the war 
     immigration quickly rose . . . and in 1873 had reached 
     460,000 annually.

  I feel it is important to address the issue of stereotyping our 
Nation's immigrants because it is unjust, it is unfair, and it is 
wrong. I would like people to think of the many contributions that 
immigrants have made. We should value and cherish immigrants. Everyone 
in this country, except for native Americans, are immigrants. Some came 
voluntarily and others, like myself, came involuntarily.
  It is my hope that the next time immigration is brought up as a 
topic, that it conjures up a positive image in our mind, one that 
values the mosaical background and cultures that make up the Nation as 
well as the district where I live, represent, and work.
  I enjoy experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of Caribbean 
restaurants on Georgia Avenue, and Ethiopian cuisine in Adams Morgan. 
Closer to home, I also enjoy Little Italy, on Taylor street, Chinatown, 
at Wentworth and Surmack, Little Village in Franklin Park.
  The top 10 immigrant groups that boast the great land of Lincoln as 
their home are a diverse group. They are from Mexico, Poland, 
Philippines, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, 
Yugoslavia, Greece, Africa, all over the world. By no means do I view 
them as a threat. I think they are, indeed, a great asset.
  That is why it disturbs me that the INS Citizenship U.S.A. Program is 
in the Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and 
Criminal Justice of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. I 
feel it is offensive to all Americans to question the integrity and 
loyalty and contributions of immigrants.
  This is not the first time. During World War II, Japanese-Americans 
and their children were rounded up and placed into internment camps. 
They were placed in these camps because the American Government viewed 
these Americans of Japanese descent as a threat to national security.
  Imagine how they must have felt to be viewed as a threat to their own 
country. Many of those Japanese-Americans interned were actually born 
here. In spite of this insult, Japanese-Americans formed a special 
regimental combat team, which was one of the most decorated units of 
its size in World War II.
  It should also be noted that a United States Government commission 
later concluded, and I quote: ``Not a single documented act of 
espionage, sabotage, or fifth column activity was committed by an 
American citizen of Japanese ancestry, or by a resident Japanese 
alien.''
  This is just one fine example of the many various contributions that 
immigrants have made. I question the accusation that immigrants do not 
share the same commitment to the United States.
  According to a recent study released by the Cato Institute called 
``In Defense of a Nation'' on the military contributions of immigrants,

       The military contributions of immigrants is a story that 
     has gone largely untold. Today, 62,560 immigrants serve on 
     active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. More than 20 percent of 
     the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor in United 
     States wars have been immigrants. Immigrant scientists and 
     engineers are major developers of advanced U.S. Government 
     laboratories and major defense firms. In fact, the submarine, 
     the helicopter, a more advanced ironclad ship, and the atomic 
     and hydrogen bombs were developed by immigrants.

  In short, the study concludes that ``Throughout history and even now, 
immigrants have demonstrated their loyalty to this country, and have 
voluntarily sacrificed to protect the freedom of civil rights and the 
pride of this Nation itself.''
  Let us stop talking about the myths and misconceptions of immigrants. 
Let us look at the facts. It is a fact that most immigrants enter the 
United States legally; about 70 percent, according to the American 
immigration law forum. It is a fact that most immigrants come to the 
United States to unite with close family members. People come to this 
country for the American dream of freedom, peace, economic prosperity, 
opportunity, and democracy. They do not come here to take advantage of 
the welfare system.
  Contrary to popular belief, not all immigrants are Mexican or 
Chinese. Many are from places, African countries like Somalia, 
Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana, escaping violent upheavals; from Haiti, 
fleeing war, political oppression, drought, and famine. There are many 
children in Romania, China, and Brazil fleeing poverty and hunger.
  Many wait in places like the Philippines, where the average waiting 
period is as long as 12 to 15 years. There is a need for fair and more 
efficient immigration policy and a more efficient system.
  According to a 1996 report released by the Illinois Immigrant Policy 
Project, immigrants make up 7.1 percent of the total State population, 
and 49.2 percent of the city of Chicago. Illinois immigrants pay $7.2 
billion, or 10.6 percent of the $68 billion of taxes paid by all 
Illinois residents.
  The seven taxes included in this estimate are Federal and State 
income, State and local tax, property, Social Security, and 
unemployment insurance.

                              {time}  1315

  Additionally, immigrants only use 7 percent of major welfare and 
education services. The programs included in this estimate include most 
of the large cash and in-kind welfare programs and the basic education, 
SSI, AFDC, aid to the aged, blind and disabled, transitional 
assistance, Medicaid, and K through 12 public education. Thus when the 
seven major taxes are compared to the five major types of governmental 
services, immigrants in Illinois actually pay more taxes than services 
used. They are paying $6.11 for every $1 of services received.
  Mr. Speaker, these findings reveal that immigrants are substantial 
economic contributors. And some 70 percent of immigrants' taxes flow to 
the Federal Government, primarily through Federal income and Social 
Security taxes.
  It is a fact that immigrants start new businesses; 18 percent of all 
new small businesses are started by immigrants. These small businesses 
account for up to 80 percent of the new jobs available in the United 
States each year.
  Now, having stated the facts, I would urge my fellow Members of 
Congress to take the partisan politics out of the immigration debate. 
While this issue is being politicized, there are many constituents in 
my district who are unable to naturalize and stand to soon lose much-
needed benefits underneath the new welfare reform law.
  It is my understanding that the last time an oath ceremony was 
performed was September 30, 1996. Why should immigrants experience 
longer delays due to the decisions of government bureaucracy? 
Citizenship USA was enacted with bipartisan support and was a good idea 
in order to reduce the backlog of some 1 million eligible immigrants 
who filed in fiscal 1995 to become U.S.citizens. This number is more 
than triple the number of citizens who filed in recent years. This can 
be largely contributed to the 1986 amnesty program, the passage of 
issues like proposition 187 in California, and the threat of losing 
benefits due to welfare reform.
  I would like to note that out of the 1.3 million new citizens 
naturalized under Citizenship USA, only about 71,500 were found to have 
FBI records, which includes the following categories: INS 
administrative record, 34,000; misdemeanor but not a felony, 25,000; 
felony 10,000. Sixty-nine percent have still demonstrated good moral 
character, 29 percent good moral character may not have been met, 
further review is required. Two percent good moral character was not 
met, represents 168 individuals, 168 individuals out of the 1.3 million 
that naturalized under Citizenship USA is only about two-tenths of 1 
percent.
  Mr. Speaker, I suggest that this is hardly reason to exploit 
naturalized citizens as criminals. Prior to the program Citizenship 
USA, applicants waited 2 to 4 years to become citizens.

[[Page H789]]

 Given that so many elderly and disabled people were at risk to lose 
much-needed benefits due to welfare reform, it is my opinion that 
Citizenship USA actually served as a partial solution to some of the 
negative effects of welfare reform and in response to the criticisms 
aimed at a high number of these newly naturalized citizens registered 
to vote, I must ask, is it not a double standard? In an election year 
where apathy seemed to be a common tune ringing throughout the land, 
why criticize any group for exercising their right to vote? Do we not 
teach all citizens that voting is not only the epitome of living in a 
democracy but a responsibility as well?
  I submit that the very fabric of our social, economic, cultural, and 
political institutions has changed into a great, great mosaic due to 
our Nation's newcomers. Immigrants are an integral part of our work 
force, tax base, and cultural diversity. May we as a Nation of 
immigrants not turn on ourselves.
  Mr. Speaker, I will now shift to another idea, one that we have been 
discussing, debating, and talking about and will continue to do so as 
we talk about the reauthorization of ISTEA. I appreciate having this 
opportunity to speak in behalf of projects which have been proposed for 
the Seventh Congressional District in the State of Illinois, which I 
have the honor to represent.
  Mr. Speaker, the citizens of this country are in favor of policies 
and programs that meet discernible needs, create jobs, promote economic 
development, protect and improve the environment, and improve the 
overall quality of life. I shall describe four projects which are 
consistent with these goals and trust that they will be seriously 
considered by the Congress for funding, as they will greatly benefit 
the residents of Chicago, its western suburbs, and Cook County.
  One, Marion Street mall-to-mall transit center and commuter parking 
facility in Oak Park, IL, is one of these projects. This project will 
increase rider access to several different forms of public 
transportation, including bus, elevated trains, and passenger rails. It 
will provide reciprocal access to suburban and city of Chicago 
residents who need public transportation to get to and from work. It 
will promote commercial revitalization for the villages of Oak Park and 
River Forest and reduce the number of cars on the roadways, thereby 
enhancing air quality and improvement of the overall environment.
  Mr. Speaker, the second project is the funding of a preliminary 
engineering project to determine the feasibility and cost of widening 
the Union Pacific bridge over Illinois State Route 43 at Harlem Avenue.
  Presently this stretch of road, which is considered a strategic 
arterial route, has shortcomings which cannot be easily and readily 
remedied. Principally the bridge embodies a dangerous center pier which 
severely impedes traffic flow. Simply by widening the two-spanned 
structure, we can decrease the potential number of accidents as well as 
facilitate the flow of traffic. The reduction in congestion on the 
bridge will diminish the amount of air pollution and gridlock on the 
road.
  The third project calls for the establishment of an Intelligent 
Transportation Systems Research Institute. This institute would marshal 
the research capabilities of the University of Illinois at Chicago and 
Champaign-Urbana, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Purdue 
University in Indiana, and the Argonne National Laboratory.
  In an effort to employ communications technology as a solution to 
some of the region's inter- and intrastate traffic problems, the target 
area is the region spanning from Gary, IN, through Chicago, IL, and on 
to Milwaukee, WI. This stretch is essential for efficient commercial 
travel throughout the region.
  An example of the technology that the Intelligent Transportation 
Institute will explore includes computerized traffic lights. These 
lights will be capable of detecting the approach of a massive public 
transportation bus or a commercial truck and will stay green longer to 
permit their passage.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an idea whose time has truly come. This 
innovation will facilitate a way of ingress and egress from Chicago's 
commercial districts to the expressways linking Gary and Milwaukee. It 
will also expedite travel time for all workers. Through 
such technologies, we will be able to create a more effective 
transportation system.

  In addition, this system will provide through the use of 
communications technology real-time schedules for public 
transportation. One will be able to access the scheduling information 
from work and from home. At a time when both parents work most of the 
day and single parents are forced to work two and three jobs, any way 
we can make travel time more predictable, reliable, and efficient 
allows American citizens to spend more time with their families. Our 
transportation policies can and should work to strengthen families.
  Evaluation results to date show that the intelligent transportation 
system will yield major benefits in congestion mitigation, safety and 
environmental impact. To date, public and private organizations have 
succeeded in raising half of the financing required for the project, 
which has a total cost of $6 million. Therefore, the Federal share of 
this worthwhile endeavor will be only one half the actual cost.
  The fourth project proposes a north-south computer rail line by Metra 
with the station in the Village of Bellwood. Bellwood is ideally 
located as a crossroads of the Chicago metropolitan area at the 
juncture of Interstates 290, 88, and 94, between O'Hare and Midway 
Airports. Both Metra and the Village of Bellwood view this project as a 
real opportunity for partnership in dealing with transportation needs 
and economic development for the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I feel, and the people of the Seventh Congressional 
District in the State of Illinois feel that each one of these projects 
is viable, valuable, greatly needed and will seriously enhance the 
quality of life for the residents, of people who live in that 
particular area.
  Now to conclude my remarks, Mr. Speaker, I shall address briefly the 
issue that I think is so vitally important in this country, and that is 
the issue of children's health. I firmly believe that the greatness of 
a society can be determined by how well it treats its old, its young, 
and those who have difficulty caring for themselves. If this is the 
case, then by all standards we are not moving toward greatness because 
we are not doing well by our children.
  In my own hometown, Chicago, the city of the big shoulders, the Annie 
E. Casey Foundation reports that 10.9 percent of all children born are 
considered low birth weight. According to the Voices for Illinois 
Children, more than 13,200 of all new mothers in the State, 4,000 in 
Chicago alone, receive virtually no prenatal care. We all know that 
there are more than 10 million children in this country who have no 
health insurance. We know that a disproportionate number of our 
children are being born to teen parents and are destined to live in the 
squalor of poverty and deprivation.

                              {time}  1330

  We know that it is tough to be hungry and not have food; demoralizing 
to be broke and not have a job; agonizing to be cold and not have heat; 
and frustrating to be illiterate and not have hope. But to be sick and 
not be able to get health care adds another dimension to all the other 
problems.
  The blues singer Marvin Gaye asked the question, ``Who will save the 
baby? Who is willing to try? Who will save a world that is destined to 
die?'' Another songwriter said that ``Our children are indeed the 
future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.''
  Everybody is searching for a hero. People need somebody to look up 
to. And so I ask the question this day: Can the children of this Nation 
look to its Congress to be the hero? Can the children of this Nation 
look to this Congress to preserve, promote and protect the health of 
the Nation, the future of our country, and the destiny of our being?
  So I ask the question: Will this Congress save the children? We sure 
can, if we are willing to try.

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