Mr. President. I rise to commend the distinguished Senator from Michigan for his cogent and comprehensive remarks concerning the hearings recently held by the Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees. A number of people have told me how impressed they were with the manner in which my colleague conducted these hearings. I believe it is clear from the most forceful statement which the Senator from Michigan has just made that we would make a step forward toward fulfilling our obligation to the refugees of the world by warmly supporting the proposals contained in President Kennedys special message to Congress regarding legislation to assist refugees. escapees. and migrants. Mr. President. this mornings newspapers carry reports citing the frantic efforts of the East German puppet regime to stem the flow of refugees. I have long been one of those who has maintained that we not only have a moral obligation to assist refugees from tyranny but that politically. refugees represent a most important factor. The fact that Mr. Ulbricht is desperately trying to stop the. refugees only serves to underline the political importance of refugees. Moreover. I dare say that one of the reasons Khrushchev has created the present Berlin crisis is because the Communists want to seal up this city. which has been an escape hatch to freedom for so many millions of refugees. Mr. President. especially because of the grave situation. I believe that it is imperative that Congress take prompt and favorable action on President Kennedys proposals for refugees. escapees. and migrants.
Keywords matched
Refugees migrants refugees