On January 13, 1965, Representative Emanuel Celler (D-NY) introduced in the House of Representatives an administration-backed immigration bill, H.R. 2580. On March 3, the Subcommittee on Immigration and Nationality, chaired by Representative Michael A. Feighan (D-OH), opened hearings with these remarks of Attorney General Nicholas deB. Katzenbach. He stated that a “prompt remedy” to the current immigration system was necessary for three reasons. “Elemental humanity” required eliminating a system separating families. “Domestic self-interest” required removing barriers that prevented “brilliant and skilled residents of other countries” from working in the United States. Finally, “self-interest abroad” required ending immigration restrictions that discriminated against countries in Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia.