Bob Dole: “first, let me congratulate my colleagues, Senator Simpson and Senator Kennedy, for completing action on what I consider…”

“first, let me congratulate my colleagues, Senator Simpson and Senator Kennedy, for completing action on what I consider to be a very good bipartisan immigration bill. It took 8 days. We had it scheduled for 3. So we have lost a little time. But I think the end product is probably worth it, and we hope to make up the time in the next few weeks on other matters. Mr. President, we have before us an issue of great national importance--reform of this Nation's laws on illegal immigration. But while many Members have worked hard to move this issue forward, let's face it: The moving force has been my colleague and friend, the Senator from Wyoming--Senator Simpson. There are so many ways to describe how he has served America, but I believe that his work in this area will always be at the top of the list. Illegal immigration reform is not a partisan issue. It is not a simple issue. But make no mistake about it, this legislation is long overdue. Mr. President, we are a nation justly proud of our heritage. That heritage is inseparable from the human experience of millions upon millions of immigrants--from every country on Earth. That heritage is also bound up in a reverence for the rule of law-- for playing by the rules. The Immigration Control and Financial Responsibility Act combines both of these strands of our national character. We cannot remain a great country and fail to control our borders.…”