Date: 1982-09-08
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker. this is a very historic moment for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The House of Representatives is about to take the final step in passing H.R. 3517. the Nonimmigrant Allen Adjustment Act. Years of work and development have gone into this bill and the hopes and aspirations of many people are riding on its passage. Many of these people who were invited into the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist us during the boom years of our development have been living as long as 20 years under the shadow of deportation. They have laid their roots there. and have become active and responsible members of our community. This bill will end their legal limbo and allow them to plan their future with dignity and assurance. Mr. Speaker. I introduced this bill on May 12. 1981. and in its travels through the various House and Senate subcommittees and committees it has not received a single opposing vote. This legislation was passed by the House last fall with no opposing votes and on August 20 the Senate was unanimous in its passage and even willingly waived its rules to expedite this measure to the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands. However. its smooth passage through this Congress does not mean the waters were always calm for this legislation. On the contrary. stomy and frequently bitter debates rose up in our islands. I know from the 10 years I have been working on this that it was in fact one of the most divisive issues in our history. And many times during those years I was frequently the only political figure trying to tackle this issue. As little as a few months before this bill was introduced the storm was still raging. But. with the assistance of Gov. Juan Luis. a compromise solution was finally reached. It is reflected in the legislation before you. but it was not without pain. not without sacrifice. and not without years of development and debate. The people of. the Virgin Islands should be proud today. for this bill is an honorable and equitable solution to a very difficult and longstanding problem. It tugged at their conscience. They wrestled with it publicly and pri-. iately. And. in the end reached this compromise solution which is uniquely oursa product of our community for our community. Credit must be given to them. and to the Governor of the Virgin Islands who worked with me in the development of this legislation. and to the people of the alien community for their patience. cooperation. and genuine concern for the community as a whole. and to the legislature for finally recognizing the communitys support and passing a resolution in support of the bill. All that remains today. Mr. Speaker. is for this House to concur with an amendment adopted by the Senate Immigration Subcommittee at my request which will allow athletes and entertainers to- continue to enter the U.S. Virgin Lslands under temporary visas. I urge my colleagues to concur on this. and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in the House for their support. and Senator ALAN SIMPsoN. the chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee. for all his support and assistance. Senators DENNIS DECONCINI. TED KENNEDY. and Congressman HAMILTON FISH. and most especially. the chairman of the House Immigration Subcommittee. and my friend. Congressman RoN MAzZOLI. whose unfailing commitment on this bill. and whose sympathy and concern for all the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. have without a doubt been a major factor in this success.