Mr. President. the continuing refugee tragedy in Southeast Asia illustrates once again the urgent need for Congress to reform our Nations laws and policies governing our ability to respond to the needs of homeless refugees. For many years. every major church group in this landas well as all the voluntary agencies. the AFLCIO. and many other concerned citizen groupshave urged new legislation to support refugee programs. Most recently. this concern has focused on a bill which I introducedand which was introduced in the House by Congressman RODINo and Congresswoman HOLTZMANto reform our immigration law and vastly improve our ability to meet refugee emergencies. such as that today in Southeast Asia. I am pleased to note that after 6 months of careful consideration of this legislation. the Judiciary Committee last week unanimously reported out S. 643. and the report on it will be filed next week. As the Senate considers this legislation in the days ahead. I think it is extremely important to keep the voices of our Nations church groups. and the voluntary and community agencies. in mindand to consider their thoughtful comments and recommendations. Since S. 643 was introduced. the Judiciary Committee has received communications from every major religious and voluntary agency leader in our country. and they have been unanimous in their support of the Refugee Act of 1979. We have also received testimony and strong support from the AFLCIO and other concerned citizen groups around the country. I would like to share with the Senate some of these statements that have been submitted to the Judiciary Committee as it considered the refugee bill over these last several months. I ask that they be printed in the RECORD. The statements follows:
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