Speech #940054034

I would like to see the same sense of humanitarianism shown as well to some of our own citizens. Mr. President. earlier this week public attention was focused almost exclusively on those who. for economic or other reasons. expressed fear and opposition to the influx of refugees from Vietnam. At a time when 8 million Americans are unemployed. when we are facing a budget deficit of $70 billion. and when many domestic needs are still unmet. these concerns are understandable. Nevertheless. the picture some have attempted to paint of 150.000 Vietnamese pushing Americans out of work or vying with the unemployed for jobs is grossly exaggerated. Official estimates place the number of refugees needing employment at 30.000. This is a small percentage of our total work force of 94 million. and in an economy as large and diverse as ours. there need be little. if any. impact when these individuals are dispersed throughout the country. When the facts are understood. I am confident that many critics of the refugee relief efforts will join in welcoming a people who have so much to contribute to the strength and vitality of our Nation. To his credit. President Ford has persisted in seeking the understanding and support of the American people for this effort. Now there is clear evidence that the tide is turning. Yesterday. a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee approved an authorization to pay evacuation and resettlement costs for South Vietnamese refugees. This evening the bill will be considered by the full Judiciary Committee. The resolution which Is before the Senate at this time and the joint letter to the Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees testify to the growing support in the Senate for action to ease the plight of those whose lives have been shattered by the fall of South Vietnam and Cambodia. There will naturally be problems in connection with refugee assistance programs. Nevertheless. as we said in the joint letter today: These problems should not be permitted to obscure the larger issue of whether the United States is prepared to act with the same generosity and goodwill we have always shown toward those seeking freedom from oppression. To do less would be to underestimate the strength and character of the American people and to dishonor the highest traditions of our nation.