Madam Speaker;

I stand in support of the resolution condemning the January 27^th Executive Order by President Trump.

The executive order is ill-conceived, mean spirited, and divisive: it is overtly discriminatory and, most likely, illegal; it is causing immediate and extraordinary hardship to thousands of legal immigrants and Refugees.

It ignites and magnifies the worst prejudices among us and sows the seeds of division, hate and prejudice in the body politic;

It is actions such as this that preceded and presaged one of the most horrific periods of genocide in the history of the world.

Its blunderbuss and broadsword approach of barring access to citizens of 7 countries primarily Arab and Muslim countries lack rational, purposeful basis- and is reminiscent of former regimes who separated people based on race and religion;

Offered under the guise of keeping our country safe and secure, it contributes to neither and undermines both.

This Executive order is contrary to the highest principles and most cherished ideals upon which our county was founded; Equality, liberty, and justice under law

As the resolution states, Since out founding the United States has been a country of immigrants and we have welcomed people from around the world seeking refuge from war, famine, terrorism and atrocities.

In NY Harbor, near Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants entered this country, stands the Statue of Liberty which contains the poem, the New Colossus- Mother of Exiles. Emma Lazarus, the daughter of the Portuguese Sephardic Jewish immigrants wrote it in1883:

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

with conquering limbs astride from land to

land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates

Shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes

Command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities

Frame.

“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!”

cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your

poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe

Free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming

shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Colleagues, this is our America, not the one characterized by this Executive Order;

I urge your support for resolution

Thank you