Speech #920163245

Mr. President. the House of Representatives today will act on House Joint Resolution 1005. a joint resolution providing for continuing appropriations for foreign assistance and other programs. There is one provision contained in the joint resolution which disturbs me profoundly because that change will destroy the Cuban refugee program not only in Florida but also in many other States. The administration proposed this year an appropriation of $144.103.000 for the Cuban refugee program. The continuing resolution which will come to the Senate from the House of Representatives. unless it is changed in the Houseand I doubt that will happenwould cut $43 million out of the requested funds. I point out and emphasize to the Senate that this has nothing to do with the Cuban airlift or the Cuban program insofar as getting people from Cuba. This money. practically 100 percent of it. is for financial assistance to refugees. and so large a part of the money goes directly to the school systems. The school superintendent from Dade County came up to see me this week and pointed out that if this amount was not fully funded in Florida. that as far as the school program is concerned the Dade County school system and. to a large degree. the school system of Florida. would undoubtedly have to do one of two things. either cut back on the school year and be forced to cut down for a portion of the school year or make major reassessments of teachers salaries and the salaries of personnel in some way to try to cut the cloth to fit the need. I point out that the Cuban refugee program is a program that has something to do not only with the State of Florida but also with many other States that are concerned with this program. It will have a major impact. The program was a national program started by President Johnson to extend help to Cuban refugees so that they might come here. people who wanted to escape from Castro communism. This is a national program and requires that large sums of money be expended in the program. The States will not be able to do this within the State budgets unless the Federal Government helps.