Speech #830062988

If there be no amendment to be proposed. the question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. was read the third time. and passed. as follows: Be it enacted. etc.. That there is hereby established. with its principal office at the seat of the Government. the Office of Commissioner of Refugees. hereinafter referred to as the Office. which shall be headed by the Commissioner of Refugees. -hereinafter referred to as the Commissioner. who shall be appointed by the President. by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. and who shall serve at the pleasure of the President. SEC. 2. Effective 30 days after his appointment the Commissioner. on behalf of the President and subject to his direction. shall in consultation with the Secretaries of State and Defense and with other appropriate agencies of the Government. within the limits of appropriations which shall have previously been made therefor. have primary responsibility for(a) the development and administration of programs of assistance to refugees. (b) liaison between the Government of the United States and foreign governmental and intergovernmental agencies and organizations concerned with refugees or with migration and resettlement of people. and (c) accumulation and collation of information concerning migration possibilities of people from areas in which refugees are temporarily located to areas of potential reception. SEC. 3. When used in this act the term "refugee" means a person (a) who Is out of his usual place of abode because of persecution. fear of persecution. natural calamity or military operations. and (b) who is in urgent need of assistance for the essentials of life or for transportation: Provided. however. That no person shall be considered to be a refugee who is or has been a member of any Communist. Nazi. or Fascist organization or movement unless he shall establish by clear and convincing evidence that his membership was involuntary or while under the age of 16 years. SEC. 4. In order to avoid duplication of personnel and of functions the President is authorized (a) to detail or assign to the Office any officer or employee of any agency of the Government who is engaged in activities relating to refugees or to migration and resettlement of people and (b) to transfer for expenditure by the Office sums available by any agency of the Government for expenditure relating to refugees or to migration and resettlement of people. SEC. 5. The Commissioner shall receive compensation at the rate of $17.500 per annum.