At the same time. I would hope the importance of the amendment is not underestimated. During the past month the newspaper headlines and news broadcasts have been filled with heartrending stories on the plight of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees. In response to these emotional reports. the United States has reacted with humanitarian assistance and a revision in our administration procedures to accommodate the pressing needs of these persons from warravaged nations. The emotional nature of the problems In Southeast Asia have. in fact. been so predominant in the news that we tend to forget that there are citizens of the United States residing within our borders whose lives are still being affected by their involvement in the Vietnamese conflict. I am speaking. of course. of the veterans who sacrificed years of their lives to serve their country in an unpopular war effort. and who upon returning home have found job opportunities and veterans benefits less than adequate. It is the current plight of the American veteran which prompted me to join as a cosponsor of an amendment to the migrant and refugee assistance bill which would provide job assistance to Vietnamera veterans. The amendment would alter the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 and authorize the expenditure of $100 million in the coming year to provide transitional employment for unemployed and underemployed Vietnamera veterans in jobs providing needed public services. as well as training and manpower services related to such employment which is not otherwise available. Twentyfive percent of the funds allocated under this amendment would be reserved for hiring disabled Vietnamera veterans.
Keywords matched
refugee migrant refugees