They raise some of the finest crops you will find anywhere. You will find them among the best businessmen in America. among the finest artists. among the finest musicians. some of the finest teachers. some of our finest painters. I guarantee to you that if we allow these few Czech refugees to come to the United States. they will contribute greatly to our American citizenship. They will become some of our best citizens. Let me tell you more about these recommendations of the State Department in favor of my amendment which I am offering in all good faith: The Czechoslovak refugees from Communist rule are in a similar position as the displaced persons who were uprooted by the Nazis. or who fled from persecution in Poland. The Czechoslovak case is unique In that the people involved voluntarily fled from Czechoslovakia because of the strength of their democratic convictions and the depth of their democratic commitments. Mr. Chairman. other countries of western Europe have already admitted thousands of these refugees. It is in the interest of the United States to do the same. This memoranda states: Other countries of western Europe have already admitted 3.000 of these new refugees. It is in the interest of the United States Government to help as many of these refugees as it is possible to do. Accordingly. the Department of State strongly supports the proposed amendment to give a status similar to that of displaced persons to a fixed number of Szechoslovak refugees in order to permit their entry into the United States. It is understood that only those who are bonafide refugees. front Czechoslovakia after February 1968 will be considered. Members of the committee. I plead with you to accept this amendment.
Keywords matched
refugees