John F. Kennedy
[Washington, D.C.], ca. 1952
Rep. John F. Kennedy's Statement in Support of Immigration Bill: "the U.S. to continue… 'open door' policy…"
TM

A typed statement from Representative John F. Kennedy arguing for the support of House bill H.R. 7376, that concerns immigration from specific sections of Europe. 2p, measuring 8.25" x 11", [Washington, D.C.], ca. 1952. Exhibits light page toning and creasing, with two staple punctures present at top left. Uneven margins throughout. Very good overall with fantastic contents.

Excerpts of Kennedy's statement include:

"If for no other reason than our own self interest, HR 7376 should be enacted. We are already, and have been for some time now, aiding financially the very countries of western Europe which are indicated in this bill… But the stabilization of these economies cannot be achieved without continued financial assistance unless and until migration programs are developed and implemented…"

"The recent successful conclusion of the amended displaced persons Act demonstrated many things to us; 1. Some 350,000 persons, who languished in idleness abroad at great expense to the taxpayers of America are now productive workers and 'new American' taxpayers in our economy; 2. Other countries of resettlement, such as Canada, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia, followed the example of the United States and opened its doors to new comers in numbers proportionate to their population; 3. The Tax supported programs of subsidy to idle refugees abroad has diminished with the departure of these people to countries of resettlement."

"…Other free countries look to the United States to continue the example of world leadership on the 'open door' policy of providing new homelands to migrants, just as they look to us for world leadership in all other phases of activity. It would be short sighted, indeed, if by leaving the festering sores of idle surplus population where they now are, we lose the benefit of the harvest we hoped to reap through our Mutual Security programs abroad. Unabsorbed and un-resettled population was one of the 'unfinished' pieces of business following World War I. It is still most definitely one of the 'unfinished' pieces of business of World War II."

Kennedy addressed the House floor on May 22, 1952 during a series of hearings to consider the bill referred to as H.R. 7376, which would authorize visas to 300,000 European migrants. The bill was drafted in part at the recommendation of President Truman who, while addressing Congress that March, called for an emergency program of immigration from Europe. Prior to this, the country was limited to an immigration quota of approximately 150,000 persons annually. Under H.R. 7376, special attention would be paid to persons of Germanic, Italian, and Greek origin looking to enter the United States, all of which having been previously discriminated against under the aforementioned quota.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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8.25" x 11"