White House Press Release, Statement by President Harry S. Truman

291 IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 25, 1948 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT It is with very great reluctance that I have signed S. 2242, the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. If the Congress were still in session, I would return this bill without my approval and urge that a fairer, more humane bill be passed. In its present form this bill is flagrantly discriminatory. It mocks the American tradition of fair play. Unfortunately, it was not passed until the last day of the session. If I refused to sign this bill now, there would be no legislation on behalf of displaced persons until the next session of the Congress. It is a close question whether this bill is better or worse than no bill at all. After careful consideration I have decided, however, that it would not be right to penalize the beneficiaries of this bill on account of the injustices perpetrated against others who should have been included within its provisions. I have therefore signed the bill in the hope that its injustices will be rectified by the Congress at the first opportunity. Americans of all religious faiths and political beliefs will find it hard to understand, as I do, why the 80th Congress delayed action on this subject until the end of this session, with the result that most attempts to improve the bill were frustrated The 80th Congress certainly had ample time to produce a NARA satisfactory bill. Eighteen months ago, in my State of the Union message, I stated that I did not feel that the United States had done its part in the admission of displaced persons. I pointed out that Congressional assistance in the form of new legislation was needed. Six months later, on July 7, 1947, because the Congress had not yet acted, I sent a special message on the subject. I reminded the Congress: I'We are dealing with a human problem, a world tragedy I urge the Congress to press forward with its consideration of this subject and to pass suitable legislation as speedily as possible. It To my regret, the Congress adjourned last summer without passing any dis- placed ersons legislation. Again, on January 7, 1948, I urged the Congress "to pass suitable legislation at once so that this Nation may do its share in caring for homeless and suffering refugees of all faiths. I believe that the ad- mission of these persons will add to the strength and energy of the Nation." The Congress did not act "at once. it The Senate Committee charged with the responsibility of rendering a report on January 10, 1948, asked for, and received, an extension to report on February 10. Instead of reporting on February 10 it reported on March 2. The bill which it finally reported, without a single public hearing, was roundly and deservedly criticized by all who were interested in achieving a fair solution of this problem. Through one device or another, debate on the bill by the Senate was postponed from the beginning of March until the end of May. The Senate bill was not passed until June 2. The House of Representatives in the meantime had delayed action and did not pass its bill until June 11. It was not until the last days of the session that the Senate and the House conferees met to put together a compromise. The compromise resulting from this hasty, last-minute action consisted largely of combining the worst features of both the Senate and House bills. (OVER)