Speech #870194608

Abraham Ribicoff. spoke before the 1962 annual conference of mayors. Mr. Ribicoff administers the Federal program of emergency assistance to Cuban refugees. His address concerns Americas response to the growing number of Cubans seeking asylum on our shores. and particularly the need for a greatly accelerated resettlement program. I commend the Secretary for his pointed remarks which follow the recommendations in the report on Cuban refugees recently issued by the Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees. I note particularly his stress on the voluntary resettlement of the refugees out of Miami and Dade County. Fla.. to other areas of the country. In my book. resettlement offers the best opportunity for the refugees to live reasonably normal and productive lives until conditions develop in Cuba which permit their return to their homeland. Communities across our land already have welcomed 26.000 refugees from Castros communism. I am hopeful that additional communities will respond to an accelerated resettlement program. It seems to me that the annual conference of mayors can be an effective vehicle to effect this response. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees. I hope the mayors may see value in organizing in their individual communities resettlement committees similar to those formed in the past by many of the State Governors to resettle displaced persons and refugees from Eastern Europe. The machinery to resettle Cuban refugees is there. What we need is more "people participation" in our local communities. Mr. President. I cannot overemphasize the importance I attach to the resettlement of Cuban refugees. Resettlement will not only help to provide effective asylum to the victims of Castros tyranny. but it will demonstrate to the world the vitality of our democratic society. and the fact that we stand with our friends. America is judged. in part. by its reception of those who come to our shores seeking asylum. If we who enjoy the many blessings of liberty cannot cheerfully make a place for the refugees from Cuba. then we have abandoned our traditions and ideals. and forgotten our origins. We can demonstrate this is not the case by giving effective asylum to Cuban refugees. Mr. President.