President. I submit today an amendment to S. 2218 in. order to amend Public Law 81874. the act which provides aid to school districts where the student population is increased by Federal activity. My amendment would expand the definition of Federal activity to include an influx of refugees admitted from another nation to this country. This is an amendment to S. 2218. amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. This measure would amend section 3(b) of the act by authorizing Federal assistance to school districts where free public education was provided to the children of refugees. as defined by the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. It also amends section 3(c) of the act by stipulating that such Federal assistance shall be made available only in cases where the number of refugee children accounts for 20 percent or more of the total student population.. � Mr. President. this amendment is a companion measure to a bill introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative DOMINICK V. DANIELS. Democrat. 14th District. of New Jersey. Representative DANIELS district includes Union City and West New York. N.J.: two towns where a sudden and dramatic influx of Cuban refugees has put a tremendous strain on public educational facilities. The need of these communities is great. and the educational need of the children of these refugees from Castros Cuba is greater still. In point of fact. the resettled refugee population of Union City is greater than that found in 44 of the 50 States. Because of these extra burdens on the educational system. children find themselves going to school in attics. basements. and even a swimming pool. The school districts must maintain bilingual instructors. In many cases. learning disadvantages are compounded. the children are illiterate in both Spanish and English. In the face of these serious problems. the Federal Government must assume some of the burden of educating the children of refugees. Entry into this country was a demonstration of American compassion and responsibility for oppressed peoples. now. we must back up our concern with assistance to the school districts where the burden is most acute. Mr.
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Refugee refugee refugees