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The original documents are located in Box 53, folder "8/14/76 HR7404 Relief of Christine
Donnelly" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized.
APPROVED
18/14/76
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION
WASHINGTON
Last Day: August 21
August 13, 1976
Posted
MEMORANDUM FOR
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
8/16/76
SUBJECT:
JIM CANNON Juni
H.R. 7404 Relief of
Christine Donnelly
archives
Attached for your consideration is H.R. 7404, sponsored
8/16/76
by Representative Pike.
The enrolled bill would waive the residence and physical
presence requirements of the Immigration and Nationality
Act for naturalization of the beneficiary. Mrs. Donnelly
was brought to the United States when she was three months
old. She is now 47 years old, married to a U.S. citizen
and the mother of five children. In 1974, it was
discovered there was no record of her entry into the
United States and that she was not a citizen.
Additional information is provided in OMB's enrolled bill
report at Tab A.
OMB, NSC, Max Friedersdorf, Counsel's Office (Lazarus) and
I recommend approval of the enrolled bill.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign H.R. 7404 at Tab B.
GERALD E. FORD LIBRARY
Digitized from Box 53 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE
UNITED
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
AUG 12 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 7404 - Relief of Christine Donnelly
Sponsor - Rep. Pike (D) New York
Last Day for Action
August 21, 1976 - Saturday
Purpose
To facilitate the naturalization as a United States citizen of
Christine Donnelly.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Approval
Department of State
No objection
Discussion
Christine Donnelly, nee Jardine, was born in Canada and brought to
the United States when she was about 3 months old. Mrs. Donnelly,
who is now 47 years old, has lived in the United States since then
and is married to a U.S. citizen and the mother of five children.
She has been a registered voter for over 20 years.
When Mrs. Donnelly applied for a job with the Internal Revenue
Service in 1974, she discovered that there was no record of her
entry into the United States and that she was not a citizen and
therefore did not meet one of the requirements for employment in
the Civil Service system. By virtue of her marriage to a U.S.
citizen, she may complete the residence requirement for naturali-
zation on June 26, 1977.
H.R. 7404 would waive the residence and physical presence
requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act for naturali-
zation and allow Mrs. Donnelly to be naturalized at any time
after its enactment. Thus, she would not have to wait an
additional year to qualify for federal employment.
James m. Director Trey for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
PLEASE ADDRESS REPLY TO
IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE
Washington 25, D.C.
AND REFER TO THIS FILE NO.
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
11 AUG 1976
A7 033 675
TO
: OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
SUBJECT: Enrolled Private Bill No. H.R. 7404
; Office of Management
and Budget request dated August 9, 1976.
Beneficiary or Beneficiaries
Christine Donnelly.
Pursuant to your request for the views of the Department of Justice on
the subject bill, a review has been made of the facsimile of the bill, the re-
lating Congressional Committee report or reports, and all pertinent information
in the files of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
On the basis of this review the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
on behalf of the Department of Justice:
X
Recommends approval of the bill
Interposes no objection to approval of the bill
Sincerely,
Leuapmont
Commissioner
CO Form 18
(REV. 1-17-72)
DEPARTMeNT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520
AUG 11 1976
Dear Mr. Lynn:
Reference is made to Mr. Frey's communication
of August 9, 1976, transmitting for comment enrolled
bills, H.R. 2399, "For the relief of Leonard Alfred
Brownrigg", H.R. 7404, "For the relief of Christine
Donnelly", and H.R. 7494, "For the relief of Luigi
Santaniello".
This Department's files contain no information
identifiable with the above cited bills, and in the
absence of any derogatory information, this Depart-
ment has no objection to the enactment of these bills.
Sincerely yours,
Themp Jenhum
Kempton B. Jenkins
Acting Assistant Secretary
for Congressional Relations
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
NO
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
VENUTIVE
STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
AUG 12 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 7404 - Relief of Christine Donnelly
Sponsor - Rep. Pike (D) New York
Last Day for Action
August 21, 1976 - Saturday
Purpose
To facilitate the naturalization as a United States citizen of
Christine Donnelly.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Approval
Department of State
No objection
Discussion
Christine Donnelly, nee Jardine, was born in Canada and brought to
the United States when she was about 3 months old. Mrs. Donnelly,
who is now 47 years old, has lived in the United States since then
and is married to a U.S. citizen and the mother of five children.
She has been a registered voter for over 20 years.
When Mrs. Donnelly applied for a job with the Internal Revenue
Service in 1974, she discovered that there was no record of her
entry into the United States and that she was not a citizen and
therefore did not meet one of the requirements for employment in
the Civil Service system. By virtue of her marriage to a U.S.
citizen, she may complete the residence requirement for naturali-
zation on June 26, 1977.
H.R. 7404 would waive the residence and physical presence
requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act for naturali-
zation and allow Mrs. Donnelly to be naturalized at any time
after its enactment. Thus, she would not have to wait an
additional year to qualify for federal employment.
James m. Director Trey for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date: AUguast12
Time:
700pm
FOR ACTION:
Dick Parsons
cc (for information): Jack Marsh
Max Friedersdorf
Jim Cavanaugh
Ken Lazarus
Ed Schmults
SC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: August 13
Time: 200pm
SUBJECT:
H.R. 7404-relief of Christine Donnelly
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
please return to judy johnston, ground floor west wing
GENERAL FORD SIGNATURE
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
K. R. COLE, JR.
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date:
Time:
AUgust 12
700pm
FOR ACTION: Dick Parsons
cc (for information): Jack Marsh
Max Friedersdorf
m.f
Jim Cavanaugh
Ken Lazarus
Ed Schmults
NSC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: August 13
Time: 200pm
SUBJECT:
H.R. 7404-relief of Christine Donnelly
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
please return to judy johnston, ground floor west wing
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
EOG NO.:
Date:
Time:
AUgust 12
700pm
FOR ACTION:
Dick Parsons
cc (for information): Jack Marsh
Max Friedersdorf
Jim Cavanaugh
Ken Lazarus
Ed Schmults
NSC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: August 13
Time: 200pm
SUBJECT:
H.R. 7404-relief of Christine Donnelly
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
XFor Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Approve. RPP
please return to judy johnston, ground floor west wing
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date:
Time:
AUgust 12
700pm
FOR ACTION:
Dick Parsons
cc (for information): Jack Marsh
Max Friedersdorf
Jim Cavanaugh
Ken Lazarus
Ed Schmults
NSC/S
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: August 13
Time: 200pm
SUBJECT:
H.R. 7404-relief of Christine Donnelly
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
XFor Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
please return to judy johnston, ground floor west wing
No objection.
Ken Lazarus
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
4619
August 13, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: JAMES M. CANNON
FROM:
Jeanne W. Davi
om
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill
The NSC staff concurs with the proposed enrolled bill-H. R. 7604-
relief of Christine Donnelly.
94TH CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPORT
2d Session
No. 94-1277
CHRISTINE DONNELLY
JUNE 18, 1976.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and
ordered to be printed
Mr. EILBERG, from the Committee on the Judiciary,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany H.R. 7404]
The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 7404), for the relief of Christine Donnelly having consídered
the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recom-
mend that the bill do pass.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of this bill is to facilitate the naturalization as a citizen
of the United States of Mrs. Christine Donnelly.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The beneficiary of this bill is a 47-year-old native of Canada who
was brought to the United States by her mother when she was about
three months old and has resided in this country since that time. She
was unaware of her alien status until she applied for Civil Service
employment in May of 1974.
The pertinent facts in this case are contained in a letter dated
January 20, 1976 from the Commissioner of Immigration and Natu-
ralization to the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. That
letter and accompanying memorandum read as follows:
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE,
Washington, D.C., January 20, 1976.
Hon. PETER W. RODINO, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee on the Judioiary,
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: In response to your request for a report rela-
tive to the bill (H.R. 7404) for the relief of Christine Donnelly, there
is attached a memorandum of information concerning the beneficiary.
57-007
2
3
The bill would waive the residence and physical presence require-
ments of the Immigration and Nationality Act for naturalization.
wartime service in the Armed Forces of the United States,
Sincerely,
who has lived here all of her life, who is married to an
LEONARD F. CHAPMAN, Commissioner.
American citizen, whose five progeny are all American citi-
Enclosure.
zens, upon suddenly discovering as a mature adult that
technically she is not a U.S. citizen. This has been the shock-
MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION FROM IMMIGRATION AND NATU-
ing experience of my constituent, Mrs. Donnelly, who might
RALIZATION SERVICE FILES RE H.R. 7404
well have been born here except that her parents happened
to be visiting their native Toronto, Canada, at the time of her
The beneficiary, Christine Donnelly, nee Jardine, was born
birth. Mrs. Donnelly might never have discovered the fact
on March 13, 1929 in Toronto, Canada. Her parents, both of
had not she been, as she related to me back in early 1974,
whom were born in Toronto, Canada, were residents of the
"desperately in need of employment" and applied to the local
United States at the time of her birth. The beneficiary claims
Long Island office of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for
to have been brought to the United States from Canada by
employment as a tax examiner. She was, it appears, eminently
her mother and grandmother, on an unknown date, when she
qualified in all respects, save one: she was not a U.S. citizen.
was three months of age. A record of such entry is not
Upon ascertaining that she had exhausted all other possi-
available.
bilities for attaining citizenship in order to qualify for timely
She states that she has remained in the United States con-
employment, I was pleased to introduce the original bill for
tinually since then, with the exception of a one-week visit to
her relief back in 1974.
Toronto during 1953. Ms. Donnelly resided with her parents
Now it is several years later. I have introduced the same
in the United States until they divorced when she was ten
bill and Mrs. Donnelly is as desperate for employment as
years old. She continued to reside with her father, Warren T.
ever. If she opts for the regular naturalization process now,
Jardine, who became a United States citizen by naturaliza-
citizenship is still a year away because she cannot complete
tion on August 5, 1944. The present address and citizenship
the residence requirement until June 26, 1977.
status of the beneficiary's mother, Dorothy E. Reilly, is un-
I'm sure that the committee members will have no trouble
known. The beneficiary graduated from high school in Bell-
appreciating the frustrations of a lady who has lived on Long
more, New York and married Joseph C. Donnelly, a United
Island since the age of three months, married and raised a
States citizen, on June 12, 1947. She resides with her spouse
family there and who has felt so completely American that,
and five children in Miller Place, New York.
by her own admission, she has been a registered voter for over
Throughout her life the beneficiary believed herself to be a
20 years, "voting regularly and working on the local Board
United States citizen and exercised the privileges of a citizen.
of Elections.
While applying for Civil Service employment in May 1974
Realizing as I do that there are still far too many native
she learned that she had not derived citizenship. On June 26,
born Americans who don't take the sacred rights of citizen-
1974 she was accorded the status of a lawful permanent resi-
ship as seriously as Mrs. Donnelly apparently does, I am sure
dent. By virtue of her marriage to a United States citizen,
that you will want to move speedily to grant the relief that
she may complete the residence requirement for naturaliza-
Mrs. Donnelly has earned as her due many, many years ago
tion on June 26, 1977.
and as now provided in H.R. 7404.
Private Bill H.R. 17174, 93rd Congress, introduced in the
beneficiary's behalf, was not enacted.
BUDGETARY INFORMATION
Mr. Pike submitted the following statement in support of his bill:
This legislation does not provide new budget authority and no
estimate or comparison has been received from the Director of the
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN OTIS G. PIKE IN SUPPORT OF
Congressional Budget Office.
H.R. 7404, MAY 19, 1976
OVERSIGHT STATEMENT
Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Subcommit-
tee on Immigration, Citizenship, and International Law: I
The Committee exercises general oversight jurisdiction with respect
am extremely grateful for the kindness of the invitation ex-
to all immigration and nationality matters but no specific oversight is
tended to me to testify in support of the bill, H.R. 7404,
contemplated in this instance.
which I have introduced in behalf of Mrs. Christine Don-
nelly. This bill is, I firmly believe, especially meritorious of
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
favorable consideration and approval for unique reasons I
shall very briefly set forth.
Upon consideration of all the facts in this case, the Committee is of
Imagine the surprise, not to mention the chagrin, of some-
the opinion that H.R. 7404 should be enacted and accordingly recom-
one whose father is a naturalized U.S. citizen by virtue of
mends that the bill do pass.
H.R. 1277
H.R. 1277
Calendar No. 1041
94TH CONGRESS
SENATE
REPORT
2d Session
No. 94-1107
CHRISTINE DONNELLY
AUGUST 4, 1976,-Ordered to be printed
Mr. EASTLAND, from the Committee on the Judiciary,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany H.R. 7404]
The Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the bill
(H.R. 7404), for the relief of Christine Donnelly, having considered
the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recom-
mends that the bill do pass.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of the bill is to enable the beneficiary to file a petition
for naturalization.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
The beneficiary of this bill is a 47-year-old native of Canada who
was brought to the United States by her mother when she was about
3 months old and has resided in this country since that time. She
was unaware of her alien status until she applied for Civil Service
employment in May of 1974.
A letter. with attached memorandum, dated January 20, 1976, to
the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from the Commis-
sioner of Immigration and Naturalization reads as follows:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
LMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE,
Washington, D.C., January DO, 1976.
Hon. PETER W. RODINO, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee DA the Judiciary,
House of Bepresentatives, Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: In response to your request for a report rela-
tive to the bill (H.R. 7404) for the relief of Christine Donnally, there
is attached a memoramdum of information concerning the beneficiary.
57-007
2
3
I
The bill would waive the residence and physical presence require-
who has lived here all of her life, who is married to an
ments of the Immigration and Nationality Act for naturalization.
American citizen, whose five progeny are all American citi-
Sincerely,
zens, upon suddenly discovering as a mature adult that
LEONARD F. CHAPMAN, Commissioner.
technically she is not a U.S. citizen. This has been the shock-
Enclosure.
ing experience of my constituent, Mrs. Donnelly, who might
well have been born here except that her parents happened
MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION FROM IMMIGRATION AND NATU-
to be visiting their native Toronto, Canada, at the time of her
RALIZATION SERVICE FILES RE H.R. 7404
birth. Mrs. Donnelly might never have discovered the fact
had not she been, as she related to me back in early 1974,
The beneficiary, Christine Donnelly, nee Jardine, was born
"desperately in need of employment" and applied to the local
on March 13, 1929 in Toronto, Canada. Her parents, both of
Long Island office of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for
whom were born in Toronto, Canada, were residents of the
employment as a tax examiner. She was, it appears, eminently
United States at the time of her birth. The beneficiary claims
qualified in all respects, save one: she was not a U.S. citizen.
to have been brought to the United States from Canada by
Upon ascertaining that she had exhausted all other possi-
her mother and grandmother, on an unknown date, when she
bilties for attaining citizenship in order to qualify for timely
was 3 months of age. A record of such entry is not available.
employment, I was pleased to introduce the orginal bill for
She states that she has remained in the United States con-
her relief back in 1974.
tinually since then, with the exception of a 1-week visit to
Now it is several years later, I have introduced the same
Toronto during 1953. Ms. Donnelly resided with her parents
bill and Mrs. Donnelly is as desperate for employment as
in the United States until they divorced when she was 10
ever. If she opts for the regular naturalization process now,
years old. She continued to reside with her father, Warren T.
citizenship is still a year away because she cannot complete
Jardine, who became a U.S. citizen by naturalization on Au-
the residence requirement until June 26, 1977.
gust 5, 1944. The present address and citizenship status of the
I'm sure that the committee members will have no trouble
beneficiary's mother, Dorothy E. Reilly, is unknown. The
appreciating the frustrations of a lady who has lived on Long
beneficiary graduated from high school in Bellmore, N.Y.,
Island since the age of 3 months, married and raised a
and married Joseph C. Donnelly, a U.S. citizen, on June 12,
family there and who has felt so completely American that,
1947. She resides with her spouse and five children in Miller
by her own admission, she has been a registered voter for over
Place, N.Y.
20 years, voting regularly and working on the local board
Throughout her life the beneficiary believed herself to be
of elections.
a U.S. citizen and exercised the privileges of a citizen. While
Realizing as I do that there are still far too many native
applying for civil service employment in May 1974 she
born Americans who don't take the sacred rights of citizen-
learned that she had not derived citizenship. On June 26,
ship as seriously as Mrs. Donnelly apparently does, I am sure
1974 she was accorded the status of a lawful permanent resi-
that you will want to move speedily to grant the relief that
dent. By virtue of her marriage to a U.S. citizen, she may
Mrs. Donnelly has earned as her due many, many years ago
complete the residence requirement for naturalization on
and as now provided in H.R. 7404.
June 26, 1977.
Private bill H.R. 17174, 93d Congress, introduced in the
The committee, after consideration of all the facts in the case, is of
beneficiary's behalf, was not enacted.
the opinion that the bill (H.R. 7404) should be enacted.
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN OTIS G. PIKE IN SUPPORT OF
H.R. 7404, MAY 19, 1976
Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Subcommit-
tee on Immigration, Citizenship, and International Law: I
am extremely grateful for the kindness of the invitation ex-
tended to me to testify in support of the bill, H.R. 7404,
which I have introduced in behalf of Mrs. Christine Don-
nelly. This bill is, I firmly believe, especially meritorious of
favorable consideration and approval for unique reasons I
shall very briefly set forth.
Imagine the surprise, not to mention the chagrin, of some-
one whose father is a naturalized U.S. citizen by virtue of
wartime service in the Armed Forces of the United States,
S.R. 1107
S.R. 1107
LIBRARY
H. R. 7404
FORD
DENALS
Ainety-fourth Congress of the United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the nineteenth day of January,
one thousand nine hundred and seventy-six
An Act
For the relief of Christine Donnelly.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That Christine
Donnelly shall be held and considered to have satisfied the require-
ments of section 316 of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating
to required periods of residence and physical presence within the
United States and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 310(d)
of that Act, she may be naturalized at any time after the date of
enactment of this Act if she is otherwise eligible for naturalization
under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.