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“MATT MORRISON” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E932 on May 14, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MATT MORRISON
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HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 14, 1997
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to protest the deportation of Matt Morrison. Mr. Morrison is a highly respected member of the St. Louis community where he has lived as a model citizen for more than 11 years. He is married to a native St. Louisan and is the father of two young children. My office has received thousands of pleas from Missourians who support Matt Morrison's request for political asylum.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service's arbitrary interpretation of the law in the case of Mr. Morrison and other Irish nationals is an abominable injustice. There is absolutely no evidence to support that Mr. Morrison is now or has ever been a criminal or a terrorist. Mr. Morrison is a man of principle and conscience. As a college student he was involved in the struggle for freedom in Northern Ireland, he engaged in political protest activities and without benefit of a jury trial, he was jailed for his beliefs.
The Justice Department is wrong to deport Matt Morrison. The fabrications about Mr. Morrison jeopardize the integrity of our laws. There is no legitimacy to the actions our Government has taken against Matt Morrison. I implore Attorney General Reno and President Clinton to halt the persecution of Irish nationals in our country. Rather than serving the cause of justice, the deportation of Matt Morrison will only compound the inequities that inhibit peace and understanding.
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