WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2002 – The National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR) today applauded President George Bush’s joint statement with Mexican President Vicente Fox that they intend to continue immigration reform discussions begun last year. NCCR is also pleased by the agreements reached on U.S.-Mexico border security, a necessary component of broader migration reform.

“Long-term worker shortages resulting from changing demographics are a fact of life in the chain restaurant industry,” said Terrie Dort, NCCR President. “We are pleased that the Bush and Fox administrations have rededicated themselves to pursuing comprehensive migration reform.”

The two presidents issued a joint statement over the weekend pledging that the Cabinet-level working group on migration issues, established last September, will continue its work to “forge a new and realistic framework that will ensure a safe, legal, orderly, and dignified migration flow between our countries.”

“NCCR supports comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the long-term labor needs of the industry and enhances U.S. security,” said Dort. “We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to create workable programs that meet those needs. We also call on Congress to pass bipartisan immigration reform legislation that the president can sign into law.”

The National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR) is a national trade association representing forty of the nation’s largest multi-unit, multi-state chain restaurant companies. These forty companies own and operate more than 50,000 restaurant facilities. Additionally, through franchise and licensing agreements, another 70,000 facilities are operated under their trademarks. In the aggregate, NCCR’s member companies and their franchisees employ more than 2.8 million Americans.

NRF is the world's largest retail trade association with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet and independent stores. NRF members represent an industry that encompasses more than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments, employs more than 20 million people — about one in five American workers — and registered 2001 sales of $3.5 trillion. NRF’s international members operate stores in more than 50 nations. In its role as the retail industry's umbrella group, NRF also represents 32 national and 50 state associations in the United States as well as 36 international associations representing retailers abroad. For more information, visit our web site at www.nrf.com.