Proponents
Individuals
The Kennedy Brothers
"...it is my conviction that there are few areas in our law which more urgently demand reform than our present unfair system of choosing immigrants."
~Senator Robert F. Kennedy, introduction to A Nation of Immigrants
"I was given...another cause that would become a career passion of mine: immigration."
~Senator Edward M. Kennedy, True Compass: a memoir
"The most urgent and fundamental reform I am recommending relates to the national origins system of selecting immigrants."
~President John F. Kennedy, A Nation of Immigrants
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Congressmen Emanuel Celler and Philip Hart
"The immigration bill...had been proposed by Emmanuel Celler, the great Democratic congressman from Brooklyn, and was cosponsered by Senator Philip Hart of Michigan."
~Senator Edward M. Kennedy, True Compass: a memoir
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Organizations
The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference in NEW YORK CITY
"Over the years, the [American Immigration and Citizenship Conference] engaged primarily in educational and informational work on immigration--distributing pamphlets, a bimonthly newsletter, fact sheets, statements and research materials. Its general position was to work for a 'non-discriminatory' policy in immigration."
~Congress and the Nation: 1965-1968
The National Committee for Immigration Reform
"The primary objective [of the National Committee for Immigration Reform] was to enlist the active support of various influential individuals who would write personal letters to their Representatives and Senators, and help urge others to do so, in favor of immigration changes. Former Presidents Truman and Eisenhower and a large number of other former public officials of both parties became members."
~Congress and the Nation: 1965-1968
The Johnson Administration
"Relatively strong support...[came] from the Johnson Administration...from general conviction that the national origins quota system was invidiously discriminatory,...from a desire to ease U.S. relations with nations receiving unfavorable treatment under the national origins quota system, and...from a desire to win or retain political support of minority groups which believed they would benefit from repeal of the national origins quota system."
~Congress and the Nation: 1965-1968
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"...the fact is the fact is that for over four decades the immigration policy of the United States has been twisted and has been distorted by the harsh injustice of the national origins quota system."
~President Lyndon B. Johnson, Remarks at the Signing of the Immigration Bill, Liberty Island, New York
"[There was an] unusual parliamentary situation in Congress, where there were 2-1 Democratic majorities in each chamber that were generally responsive to President Johnson's wishes."
~Congress and the Nation: 1965-1968
"The...chairman of the House Judiciary Immigration and Nationality Subcommittee of Rep. Michael A. Feighan...was more favorable to repeal of the national origins quota system than was the previous Subcommittee chairman."
~Congress and the Nation: 1965-1968
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Other Reformers
Minority ethnic, religious, and labor groups all hoped for ending discrimination, abolishing concepts of inferiority, and family reunification.
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