Speech #960106028

Illinois. Florida. New York. and Minnesota--can expect to continue receiving large numbers of refugees. as new admissions favor those with relatives in the United States. and the remigration process within the United States is further concentrating refugees. This will present problems for local communities unless Federal funds can be continued for one more year to meet the resettlement needs of the refugees. Mr. President. I am proud of the ways in which America has responded to the Indochinese refugee crisis. I get letters every day from constituents who express their concern for the refugees in Southeast Asia. They often offer to send assistance to needy refugees. or to help them into the society when -they get to the United States. But some constituents express their concerns that the refugees will become an economic drain to their local communities. I believe that it is vitally important that the Federal Government alleviate the concerns of these citizens by bearing the burden of the cost of the Indochinese refugees for a reasonable period of time. The conflict in Southeast Asia was a burden that was borne jointly by all the States. The refugee crisis that resulted from that conflict is also a burden to be borne corporately as a nation. President Carter has responded with concern and compassion to the plight of the refugees. and Vice President MONDALE. in addressing the U.N. Conference on Indochinese refugees in Geneva outlined the immediate steps needed to be taken to deal with the refugee crisis. Special delegations of congressional leaders have been sent to the refugee camps to view the conditions there. And now. as the refugees are accepted into the United States to begin to live new lives in this free country. it is imperative that the Federal support continue. The disproportionate burdens to local property taxpayers should Federal support be prematurely cut off has moved the National Association of Counties to urge Congress to enact legislation that would extend the Indochinese Refugee Assistance Program at 100 percent Federal funding for income and medical assistance and social services. The American people stand ready to help the needy people of the world. and this refugee legislation is a noble effort in that regard. However. we must be prepared to follow through with that effort. and provide for the needs of the refugees for a reasonable period of time once they have entered the country. It would be counterproductive to our aims to cause the financial burden of the refugees to be borne in a few local areas. We must be prepared. as a nation. to provide the financial assistance the Indochinese refugees need to become selfsufficient members of this society. May I also at this point thank the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts