We believe we should take advantage of his presence and his interest in this work and it is my pleasure to nominate Congressman WALTER to preside over this meeting. The United States delegation has kindly offered to make his services available for this purpose. It is not necessary for me to dwell upon the contribution that Congressman WALTER has made to the work of ICEM. which has. itself made such a contribution to the solution of refugee problems. He continues to be a tower of strength to the organization and my country is by no means the least to appreciate what his support means for ICEM and in related matters. I feel I should. however. place before you some indication of Congressman WALTERS unflagging work in the refugee field in the last decade. For every United States legislation concerning refugees and raigrants since the war. Congressman WALTER. in Congress. has been the author and the pilot. This extends from the Displaced Persons Act in 1948. through which 460.000 persons were admitted to the United States. the Refugee Relief Act providing for a further 110.000 admissions. right down to recent legislation for the admission of Dutch expellees. It includes also the 1957 legislation providing for the liberalization of the entry laws in immigrant cases involving sicknesses and diseases. thereby facilitating family reunions and the admission of refugees. Generous ideas and practices have a way of spreading. the example of what the United States is doing and has done in this area is not lost on other governments and indeed there has seldom been a period of such constructive general effort in the refugee field. I am sure that you will all agree that to appoint as chairman today one of the greatest architects of this international work would be the best basis we could. in this meeting. have for further fruitful effort. Thank you.
Keywords matched
immigrant Refugee refugee refugees