Speech #840050782

Mr. President. as chairman of the Subcommittee on Refugees. Escapees. and Expellees. I am very pleased by the figures shown on this weeks report from the Department of State dated May 20. 1955. showing the status of visa applications under the Refugee Relief Act of 1953. According to this information. there has now been issued a total of 30.652 visas which are distributed as follows: Italy ------------------------------ 19. 015 Greece ---------------------------- 5.126 Netherlands ----------------------- 566 Germany ------------------------- 2. 166 Austria ---------------------------- 2.502 Far East ------------------------ 734 Others ----------------------------- 63 Shortly after I became chairman of the subcommittee. it was forcibly brought to my attention that Public Law 203. commonly known as the Refugee Relief Act of 1953. was well on its way to becoming a complete failure. if it had not already become one. Our Subcommittee on Refugees held hearings on the administration of this act on April 13. 14. 15. 20. 21. and 22. 1955. which were recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Prior to the date of these hearings. the statistical report from the Department of State. dated March 18. 1955. shows the total number of visas issued as only 22.887 which were distributed as follows: Italy ------------------------------ 15. 548 Greece ---------------------------- 3.602 Netherlands ------------------------ 468 Germany ......... - ---------- 977 Austria ------------------------- 1. 573 Far East --------------------------- 482 Others ------------------- -------- 237 From the foregoing you will readily see that between March 18. 1955. and May 20. 1955. 7.765 visas have been issuedthe greatest number in any single period. I believe that the speeding up of the refugee relief program has been due. at least in part. to the full and complete public hearings which the subcommittee has been conducting. I am especially grateful to the distinguished Senator from Utah . the distinguished Senator from Missouri . and the distinguished Senator from South Carolina for the assistance which they gave to the subcommittee. The subcommittee will continue to work on the matter and to submit weekly reports to the Senate. showing the progress which is being made.