Speech #910033831

This increase is due to increased operating costs to the Dade County system because of higher teacher salaries and other costs. These perpupil rates will be studied again when the committee considers .the fiscal 1970 budget requests. There is $844.000 for costs of transporting refugees from Cuba to Miami. Last year. Congress included language in the fiscal 1969 appropriation bill to fund this expense from this account. instead of the State Department account as had been the case in the past. It was hoped at the time that these costs could be absorbed by the program. but this has not occurred. thus these funds are necessary. Although the committee is recommending the appropriation of most of this request. I think it would be well to point out the rapidly increasing cost of the Cuban refugee program. In fiscal 1968. Congress appropriated $49 million for this program. in fiscal 1969. including this supplemental. this figure had increased to $70.7 million. and the committee now has pending beforeit a request for fiscal 1970 of $87.3 million. This represents an increase of $38.3 million. or 78 percent. for the Cuban refugee program in only 2 years. The American people have been very generous with this program through the years. and our country has benefited from the influx of these energetic and enthusiastic immigrants. At the same time. we should be aware of these growing costs. In an effort to insure the most efficient operation possible for this program. the committee has recommended a decrease of $153.000 from the request for new obligational authority.