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U.S. Political Parties Urged to Abolish Their Nationalities Divisions.

January 31, 1962
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Democratic Congressman Francis E. Walter of Pennsylvania has called on both major political parties to abolish their nationalities division. He says an emphasis on national origins differences is “a divisive influence” in this country.

Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Walter said that nationalities divisions-within the Republican and Democratic parties are a result of an “unsupportable thesis–the idea that certain groups in this country have legitimate interests based on ties with foreign countries.”

Rep. Walter told the House that “if it is right and logical to have nationalities divisions” in the political parties then it is “also right” to have divisions based on religion, race and color; “I am sure however,” he said, “that under no circumstances would the Democratic or Republican parties today agree to the formation of such groups.”

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