Speech #880060472

I hope there will never be another such situation as that now existing in Dade County. Fla.. and in a part of Broward County. Fla.. due to the influx of large numbers of Cuban refugees. The statistics which I hold in my hand were compiled by the Florida Industrial Commission. based on a survey made in March of this year. 1963. They show that in Dade County at that timeand this does not take into consideration smaller numbers in Broward Countythere were 43.300 unemployed persons of employable age. 24.000 of them were our own people of employable age and 19.300 were Cuban refugees of employable age. Of the 24.000 of our own people. a very substantial number. probably much more than half. although I do not have the exact figures. represent displacement of our own people in modest positions. such as elevator operators. porters in hotels. custodial workers and positions of that kind. by Cuban refugees. I am advised that the problem among our own people is largely among employees in those modest positions. and in domestic positions such as maids in hotels. and the like. and that it largely relates to members of the colored race who are generally employed in those positions. who want to be employed. and who live in that area.