Mr. President. I rise in support of this effort which will provide emergency relief toward the swift resettlement of Vietnamese refugees in the United States. Yesterday I was told by representatives of the administration that current funds are running out which have so far been used to provide transportation and logistical support to move the refugees into resettlement camps in the United States. So far. the administration has expended $98 million. However. by this weekend these funds will be exhausted. In order to meet the urgent needs arising each day. it is necessary that the administration and the Congress move forward quickly to insure that the voluntary agencies which are currently beginning to assume responsibility for the Vietnamese refugees have our necessary support. The Congress is not expected to approve authorization legislation until next week. In the meantime. thousands of refugees are piling into camps throughout the country. Until final legislation is approved. it is imperative that the efforts of the voluntary agencies can continue. They require moneyand it is upon our shoulders here in Congress to guarantee they have our full support. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Refugees. I am keenly sensitive to the very special problems which the refugees face upon their arrival. Let us therefore move to lighten their burden and approve this legislation. We can do not less to end their suffering and bring a new purpose to their lives than by meeting the challenge of their arrival.
Keywords matched
Refugees refugees