Speech #860108621

China. They are the flesh and blood symbols of the upheavals of the past two decades. escapees from the horrors of war. revolution. persecution. They are not far different from many of our own ancestors who came to the United States for the same reasons that have brought todays refugees to a dead end in a camp in Austria. a barracks in Italy. a tent in Gaza. a shack In Hong Kong. The U.S. Committee for Refugees Is an organization composed of Americans from many walks of life and of representatives of voluntary agencies who are concerned by the appalling human sorrow represented by the millions of refugees living in limbo in the free world. They are concerned. too. by the serious humanitarian and economic implications of unsolved refugee problems for the United States. The presence of large numbers of refugees in any country contributes to its instability and directly affects U.S. appropriations for foreign economic and military aid. Congress has not been unaware of the plight of these homeless people. We have enacted the Displaced Persons Act. the Refugee Relief Act. and special provisions for the admission of refugeeorphans. These measures have been temporary expedients directed to meet limited areas of the refugee program. Unfortunately. the refugees of the world are still with us. On December 5. 1958. the Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution for a World Refugee Year to begin in July of 1959. Its purpose was to urge the members of the U.N. to undertake a concerted effort to provide relief. rehabilitation. and opportunities for resettlement to these unfortunate people. On the 19th of May of this year. President Eisenhower issued a proclamation of U.S. participation in the World Refugee Year. In this proclamation he stated: I invite all of our citizens to support generously. either through the voluntary welfare agencies or the U.S. Committee for Refugees. the programs developed in furtherance of that year for the assistance of refugees. The U.S. Committee on Refugees is composed of a distinguished group of citizens dedicated to seeking solutions to the refugee problem. The Committee. headed by the Very Reverend Francis B. Sayre. Jr.. dean of the National Cathedral. has brought together American citizens. and leaders of voluntary organizations thoroughly experienced in warrelief work and refugee problems. From the wealth of this experience they have proposed a U.S. program for refugees which will combine the facilities of the U.S. Government. the United Nations. and the voluntary organizations of church and private social agencies. I have consulted with representatives of the U.S. Committee on Refugees as to the action required from the Congress to establish a continuing program to meet the refugee problem. Their legislative recommendations are as follows: First. A Federal appropriation of $10 million over and above present outlays for refugee programs. Second. Generous Government allocation of additional surplus commodities. Third. New legislation permitting the annual immigration of 20.000 refugees beyond those authorized by existing quotas. I have incorporated these recommendations into a bill which provides for: First. The admission of 20.000 nonquota refugees annually. Second. The admission of 5.000 hardcore. physically handicapped refugees annually. Third. A continuation of the refugeeorphan program by elimination of termination date. June 30. 1959. Fourth. Authority for the President. by proclamation to permit the prompt entry of world refugees under parole with provision for permanent residence in the United States after 2 years of residence. Fifth. Authorization of $10 million to the President to be used through such agencies as he may designate for the relief. rehabilitation. and resettlement of world refugees. Sixth. Authorization for the allocation of surplus commodities for the relief. rehabilitation. and resettlement of world refugees. "World refugee" is defined to Include any alien who because of persecution or fear of persecution. has fled from a country because of race. religion. or political opinion. or because of natural calamity or military operation is out of his natural place of abode. Mr. President. I therefore introduce for appropriate reference. this bill. I sincerelj hope that it will become the World Refugee Relief Act of 1959.