Speech #880080653

It is published by the International Rescue Committee. Inc.. in commemoration of its 30th anniversary year. Entitled "They Chose Freedom." the booklet tells the story of the refugees from political tyranny since 1933. as well as the history of International Rescue Committees three decades in the service of freedom. Its stated objective is to make every American aware that the refugee is a vital asset to our Nation. society and cultureand to pay a fitting tribute to the millions who have risked their lives to reach freedom. The foreword bears this dedication: Dedicated to the men and women from behind the Iron Curtain who chose freedom. to those who succeeded in reaching their goal and to the anonymous thousands who failed. to those who will still try the precarious venture. to all who burrow under the walls of shame. or crawl through the barbedwire barriersworkers. farmers. shopkeepers. businessmen. artists. professionals. students. who dare to struggle for the way out to join their brothers and sisters of the West in the task of strengthening freedom * * * and to the men and women in the West who reaffirm their own choice of freedom by helping others to be freethe people in all walks of life who contribute time. energy. and money to the 20thcentury underground railway. those in government. business and labor. in religious organizations. charities and foundations. who provide the vital resources so that the choice of freedom may be implemented for all mankind. As Representative of Floridas Fourth District. which includes Greater Miami and the Florida Keys. the work of the International Rescue Mission with refugees from Castros tyranny is of special interest to me. The comments in the booklet underscore the many statements I have made on the floor of the House these past years and in my many conferences in that time with the administration and Government agencies. As the booklet sets forth: For the United States. this was a new experience. Never before in American history had this country been the point of first asylum for such large numbers of political exiles. And because this was the first tidal flood of refugees created by a Communist government in the Western Hemisphere. America could not afford to fail. All Latin America was watching.