Speech #900259315

I attended the 31st meeting of the Executive Committee of the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration. in Geneva. Switzerland. as a congressional adviser to the U.S. delegation appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Members of the House Committee on the Judiciary have participated in the semiannual sessions of the Council of ICEM and the Executive Committee meetings regularly since the creation of this 29membernation international organization in Legislation which enabled the United States to participate in this organizationthe Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962came from the Committee on the Judiciary. This legislation authorized appropriations for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. the U.S. escapee program. the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration. and assistance to refugees generally. Thus. within its jurisdiction the Committee on the Judiciary has been continuously overseeing the operations of ICEM. It was my privilege to represent the Committee on the Judiciary at this meeting and I would. therefore. like to report to the House my observations and findings. The impressive record discloses that the Committee has moved over 1.500.000 refugees and migrants to new lands of opportunity. The May 1968 Executive Committee meeting proved to be a fruitful exchange of ideas as well as the basis for an understanding of the positions of member governments. Discussions disclosed that there is agreement on four very basic issues regarding the need for ICEM and its expertise.