On January 20. President Kennedy appointed Mr. Abe Ribicoff the Secretary of HEW to continue as this Governments representative concerning the problems of the Cuban refugees. President Kennedy said at that time: I want you to make concrete my concern and sympathy for those who have been forced from their homes in Cuba. and to assure them that we shall seek to expedite their voluntary return as soon as conditions there facilitate that. I believe that the present program can best be strengthened by directly bringing to bear your personal leadership and the vast welfare. health. and other skills of your Department. I am anxious that you make use of private services available for the refugees to the greatest extent possible. Both here at home and abroad. I want to reemphasize most strongly the tradition of the United States as a humanitarian sanctuary. and the many times it has extended its hand and material help to those who axe "exiles for consciences sake." In the presently troubled world. we cannot be a peacemaker if we are not also the protector of those individuals as well as nations who cast with us their personal liberty and hopes for the future.
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refugees