Yes. As a matter of fact. extensive hearings. were held in Washington. New York. and New Jersey on the Cuban refugee problem during March. April. and August of 1966. Seventy witnesses were heard. three hearing records were published. and a report on the Cuban refugee program is being prepared for publication in late February by the subcommittee. The subcommittee continued its investigation into the refugee problems in South Vietnam. with hearings in February and July of 1967. and issued a major report on March 4. 1966. dealing with the history and nature of the problems and containing a number of program recommendations. Extensive consultations were held in connection with these recommendations. including meetings with the Secretary of State. as a result of which a Commissioner of Refugees was appointed in South Vietnam and there was a complete reorganization of the handling of refugees in South Vietnam. During the course of the latter hearings Secretary Rusk discussed his views with respect to the refugee program. and mentioned among other things the financial commitment of this country in connection with the program. He said. "More than $2 billion. including $115 million in 1966. have been expended by the United States in this effort through programs carried out directly by our Government or through our participation in intergovernmental programs. This is in addition to over $1 billion contributed by the American people through private sources." This referred to private contributions made toward private refugee programs. I might say that the chairman of the subcommittee spent 7 days on refugee matters in Vietnam. attempting to coordinate the activities of AID. the Defense Department. the Department of State. and individual private agencies in that area alone. Incidentally. the chairman paid his own way. As a- result of that. the refugee program in South Vietnam was reorganized and It was given a great deal more stature. leadership.. and direction. under AID. the Director. and the Ambassador for the United States.
Keywords matched
Refugees refugee refugees