Speaker. it is with deep regret that I inform our colleagues of the sudden death last night in Miami. Fla.. of Mr. Howard Palmatier. director of the Cuban refugee program. Mr. Palmatier was associated with the program. which was established to aid those Cubans fleeing to this country from Communist Cuba. since 1963. For a brief period. in 1967. he was assigned to South Vietnam. where he worked with refugee operations at the U.S. AID Mission. However. he returned to the Cuban refugee program in 1968 and was named director in 1969. Howard Palmatier was the Cuban refugee program and through his efforts. hundreds of thousands of Cuban nationals made their way to freedom in the United States and were given a start on a new life. He not only administered the processing of applications for the freedom flights before they were ended. he supervised the assistance programs that were designed to help these individuals get settled in this country. oversaw relocation programs to other parts of the country. operated health clinics for the refugees. and worked closely with local south Florida officials in an effort to help ease the strain of the enormous influx of new population into the area. His task was not always an easy one. The program. of necessity. posed controversial problems and there were rough spots in making it work. But Howard Palmatier tackled the job calmly. forthrightly. and with incredible dedication. He initiated the concept of presenting an awardthe Diploma of Honor LincolnMartito be granted to those Cuban refugees who had distinguished themselves by their cooperation with the program and their constructive contributions to the American community. In turn. he. himself. was presented with a special award. "Hall de la Fama". by the Latin American Division of International Research for his efforts and achievements in the relationship between the Cuban community and the United States. He was a man who truly loved his job and who made his work his life.
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refugee refugees