[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H10775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H10775]]
                  D.C. APPROPRIATIONS BILL NOT PERFECT

  (Ms. NORTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, last night's happy passage of the D.C. 
appropriation was marred for me and many who had helped me by the 
omission of relief for Haitians from an attachment to my appropriation.

                              {time}  1030

  Frankly, it looked awful. Whatever the intent, we are left with black 
immigrants out and other similarly situated immigrants in.
  I am prepared to believe that discrimination was not intended if we 
quickly make good on the promise to correct this exclusion. The 
administration promises to use its prosecutorial authority to keep 
Haitians from being deported while Congress is out.
  What will we do when Congress comes back? The very first week we must 
make good on the promise that emerged from the immigration 
negotiations. The leadership should come from the Hispanic caucus, 
where relief was most keenly felt, and from the Black caucus. But the 
burden is on this entire body. Discrimination or the appearance of 
discrimination has no place in a great legislative body. Early action 
to obtain equal treatment for Haitian immigrants is the way to show it.

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