Speech #960105905

Mr. President. first of all. I would like to congratulate my distinguished colleague from the State of Massachusetts for his leadership in bringing forth this bill dealing with refugee matters. He has for years demonstrated concern with the situation of the less fortunate. and S. 643. the Refugee Act of 1979. is another example of his leadership in these matters. This bill not only makes it possible for the United States to deal more effectively with the muchpublicized plight of the refugees in Southeast Asia. but also to place the overall refugee policy of the United States on a sound basis. I would like to call the attention of the distinguished Senator to the fact that title III of S. 643. entitled "Temporary and Transnational Assistance to Refugees." amends the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. which was handled by the Committee on Foreign Relations. Similarly. the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975 and its subsequent amendments were sponsored by the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Human Resources. Since the Refugee Act of 1979 amends laws which were sponsored by the Committee on Foreign Relations and deals with matters affecting foreign policy as well as U.S. immigration policy. it falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Relations as well as the Judiciary Committee. Mr. President.