Speech #860213735

Mr. President. we recall that World Refugee Year was created by A31459 the United Nations General Assembly in The purpose of designating a special year is: To focus atLention on world refugee problems. to encourage financial contributions from both public and private sources. to stimulate modifications of immigration policies of nations for refugees. and generally to provide necessary opportunity for such displaced individuals to find new homes in which to seek. and attain. their individual aspirations and become members of a society. According to U.N. estimates. about 15 million people still lack permanent homes as a result of World War II and political upheavals. Until a successful refugeesettlement program is accomplished. this will continue to be a cause of disturbances and unrest. As well. it will remain a blight upon the face of the earth in terms of failure to provide opportunity for the needs of a large segment of humanity. We recall that in 1958 and 1959. President Eisenhower issued a proclamation establishing the observance of World Refugee Year in the United States. The proclamation called for joint cooperation between the U.S. Committee for Refugees. private welfare agencies and the Government. In addition. President Eisenhower this year proposed to Congress a revision of our immigration policies whichthough not specifically called for in previous programsis "in spirit" with the concepts of World Refugee Year. According to reports. 69 governments have so far announced plans for participation in World Refugee Year. In addition. private efforts are being exerted to find constructive ways and means to deal with the problems involved. Today. I was pleased to receive from Philleo Nash. the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. and chairman of the Wisconsin Governors Committee on World Refugee Year. declarations endorsing four goals of the U.S. Committee for Refugees. To give the Senate the benefit of this committees endorsement of the U.S. program for helping to resolve the difficulties confronting the refugees. I ask unanimous consent to have the declarations printed in the Appendix of the RECORD.