Mr. Speaker. it is my firm conviction that all citizens should welcome the unfortunate Vietnamese refugees who have left their homeland. The tradition of our Nation has always been to offer a haven to those fleeing oppression and danger. We willingly accepted thousands of displaced persons after World War II. and we granted asylum without question to the Hungarian. Cuban. and Czech refugees. We now gladly open our doors to any Soviet Jews who wish to enter the United States. There will of course be many problems involved in resettling these refugees from Southeast Asia. particularly during this difficult time for our economy. But. as President Kennedy so eloquently stated: We are a nation of immigrants. Throughout our history immigrantsthose seeking a better life or joining relatives. or refugees from repressionhave helped build America and they continue to make outstanding contributions to our country. Mr. Speaker. today the suffering victims of the bitter tragedy in Southeast Asia seek asylum and the chance to rebuild their shattered lives in freedom. They deserve this opportunity. The American people should not hesitate to welcome them with compassion. understanding and help. It is a responsibility we bear not only to the Vietnamese refugees but also to our Nations heritage and our cherished tradition of humanity.
Keywords matched
immigrants immigrantsthose seek asylum refugees