South Bend, September 24, 1972
An Increased Self-Awareness
Presently, a tendency can be observed in the United States that groups of diverse ethnic and racial origins are showing increased self-awareness. The Civil Rights Bill of 1964 has decisively contributed to this development. Ethnic and racial minorities, who are now thinking more about their cultural heritage, are asserting their rights as citizens. The following example may serve as a case in point: A legal adviser, who belongs to the local tribe of Potawatomi Indians, goes to his office during the week. But on weekends, he dons his feather headdress and participates in the ritual dances of his tribe. This increased self-awareness can especially also be seen in ethnic groups of European descent. There is a big difference in immigration policy between the industrialized countries in Europe and the United States. Contrary to the European countries, America does not take in foreign workers with a time-limited work permit, but gives immigrants permanent residence and grants them citizenship after five years. As a result, the millions of immigrants who had come as industrial workers into this country did not remain foreigners forever, but have assimilated into the mainstream of American life. Only that way was it possible for the American melting pot with its ethnic diversity to develop.
South Bend, September 27, 1972
A Museum for Immigration
Yesterday President Nixon opened the new Museum of Immigration at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. This Museum documents the large wave of immigration before World War I, which brought millions of people, especially from Southern and Eastern Europe, to America.
[In 1965 the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were combined into the Statue of Liberty National Monument. From 1892 to 1943 Ellis Island was the Processing Station for immigrants in New York Harbor. During that period about 17 million people passed through Ellis Island, immigrating to the United States. The descendants of that large wave of immigration now make up more than one third of the American population. It should not be overlooked that America is still a young nation of immigrants. In respect for the historical heritage of Ellis Island, its Main Building was restored and opened as Ellis Island Immigration Museum in 1990.]