Speech #960105135

I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman. let me slow things down just for a second here. so the Members will know exactly what we have been doing for the refugees from Indochina. In the fiscal year 1979 bill we appropriated $38 million for Indochina refugees. We came back just Afew months ago and in a supplemental bill for fiscal year 1979 we appropriated an additional $72.176.000. According to former Senator Clark. who heads up our refugee program now. when one takes those figures plus what all we have done for Indochinese refugees. we have spent $1 billion through 1979 for Ir.dochinese refugees. In the fiscal year 1980 bill. the bill as before us today. the committee has approved an additional $138.844.000 for Indochinese refugees. This amendment adds an additional $207.290.000 for Indochinese refugees. We will be receiving in this Congress very shortly a budget amendment from HEW for an additional $246 million to care for the refugees once they get here to the United States. for a grand total of just in this 12month period $702 million. nearly a billion dollars for Indochinese refugees. I do not raise these figures to express my opposition to caring for these unfortunate people. I did not visit any of the refugee camps during the recess. but I do not have to visit a refugee camp to have compassion for one of Gods creatures. But I have to say. Mr.