Patrick Kennedy: “Mr, Chairman, we are so glad to have the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw] finally acknowledging that these are legal…”

“Mr, Chairman, we are so glad to have the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw] finally acknowledging that these are legal immigrants who should not be cut off assistance. We are so glad that he has finally come around and supported this bill. Mr. Chairman, in August 3,500 of the most vulnerable residents of my State of Rhode Island will be expelled from the Supplemental Security Income [SSI] program. Mr. Chairman, these are not able bodied adults with no desire to work--these are elderly and severely disabled legal immigrants who will never be able to work. In fact, most came to the United States desiring to work hard and achieve the ``American dream'' like most citizens. Unfortunately however, they have gotten old and become ill and can no longer contribute to the economy as they once had. Mr. Chairman, without SSI, many of these elderly and disabled individuals will have no means of survival. Many live in nursing homes and will be put out once their assistance ceases. Many have no family members with the financial ability to care for someone in their condition. These people are not getting rich off the system--they are barely getting by. This is precisely why the Diaz-Balart, Meek, Shaw, Ros-Lehtinen, Kennedy amendment to extend the SSI program until the beginning of the 1998 fiscal year is so important.”