Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment to appropriate an additional $207 million for Indochinese refugees. The plight of the refugee is one of the most immediate and critical issues facing the world today. Literally hundreds of thousands of these displaced persons have fled their homes. particularly in Cambodia and Vietnam. because of excessive human rights violations in those nations. The situation has been complicated by the fact that the neighboring Asian nations have been so flooded with refugees that their economies can assimilate no more. Unfortunately the ordeal of the refugee does not end with their escape. He often faces equally adverse circumstances in the already overcrowded camps or may even be denied this asylum. Mere survival becomes a neverending struggle for the refugee. The additional aid proposed here is part of a multifaceted effort to fulfill the pledge of our President to accept 14.000 refugees per month. It will also fund efforts to rescue refugees in distress at sea. establish the international refugee processing center. and increase contributions for the care and maintenance of refugees in camps. The refugee issue has become an international problem with international responsibilities. Some may question the wisdom of accepting increased numbers when the United States is experiencing so many domestic problems. But there are several good reasons to do so. First. the refugee resettlement programs have been an unmitigated success. With a low record of unemployment. the majority of refugees when resettled have become some of the most productive contributors to our society. Second. Americas humanitarian spirit and sense of responsibility dictate that we extend our hand to those in distress.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees