Speech #960113920

Mr. President. I was interested to learn yesterday of the results of a recent Roper poll which indicates that 90 percent of the American people believe we should generously admit homeless refugees to our country. This poll reflects one of the oldest themes in our Nations history. and the compassionate and concerned response of the American people to the plight of Indochinese. as well as Soviet Jewish and other refugees. Specifically. the poll indicates that 45 percent of the American people believe we should admit 7.000 or more Indochinese refugees per month. while an equal number believe it should be 7.000 or less. In response to the Presidents proposal to admit 14.000 Indochinese refugees. 12 percent agree. while 7 percent believe we should do even more. Although some Americans are troubled. and are properly concerned that we admit refugees in reasonable numbers. most agree we should admit numbers that reflect our ability to resettle and absorb them. Nonetheless. the overwhelming majority agree we should fulfill our longstanding humanitarian traditions to homeless people. Many Americans responding to the Roper poll were clearly unaware. however. of recent statistical data outlining how much IndoChinese refugees are contributing to our societysome $60 million in Federal income taxes aloneand how their unemployment rate is far below the national average. If this larger picture of refugee resettlement in the United States were better understoodthe enrichment. both culturally and economically. that refugees and other migrants bring to our shoresthen I believe many respondents to the Roper poll would have reflected a different view. Yet. Mr. President. polls do reflect the current mood and concern of the American people. and it is gratifying to see that the overwhelming majority of the American people90 percentbelieve we should respond to the needs of refugees. and nearly half believe we should accept 7.000 or more every month. In our turn. we in Congress have a deep responsibility to assure that the admission of refugees does not impact adversely upon State or local communitiesto provide the Federal support necessary to assist refugees in becoming productive and contributing members of their adoptive homes throughout our land. I believe S. 643the Refugee Act of 1979which the Senate adopted on September 6 by a vote of 85 to 0. guarantees that Federal support. It also reflects the American peoples concern for refugeesas reflected in the Roper poll. Mr. President. I ask that the relevant excerpts from the Roper poll be printed in the RECORD. The excerpts follow: [in percentl Sex Age Income Race Geographic area Market size 7M- 15MUnd und und Total Male Fern 1829 3044 4559 60+ 7M 15M 25M 25M+ Whte BIck NE MW So Wst A B C D Lower number of refugees we admit each month to less than 7.000 --------------------- 46 48 45 45 41 48 53 49 56 43 34 46 51 42 40 57 44 39 47 55 55 Leave at 7.000 ---------------- 26 25 26 26 26 24 26 29 21 28 28 26 27 26 30 23 23 28 25 24 21 Raise to 14.000 --------------- 12 11 12 13 11 13 9 9 10 11 18 12 8 14 14 8 13 14 12 9 12 Raise number higher than that-- 7 7 6 7 12 4 3 2 4 9 10 7 5 7 7 4 10 7 8 5 2 nt know/no answer ......... 10 8 11 9 9 11 10 11 9 9 10 10 9 11 9 9 10 12 8 7 9 Education Occupation Religion Political affiliation Political philosophy Other key analysis groups Have kids Non- Pol- 1. 2 HS HS Excel Whte Blue soc Union Und Pers Empl Total Coll grad grad prof coll coil Prot Cath Dern Rep Ind Cons Modr Libl actv mbrs 13 1318 fams ferns Lower number of refugees we admit each month to less than 7.000 -----------.--------- 46 36 50 55 34 46 51 49 45 49 42 45 51 48 34 38 49 44 51 48 45 Leave at 7.000 ---------------- 26 27 26 24 27 26 24 26 27 26 28 24 28 26 24 24 25 27 27 25 26 Raise to 14.000 --------------- 12 17 10 7 14 15 10 1i 11 11 13 13 9 12 20 15 11 12 8 11 13 Raise number higher than that.. 7 12 5 2 17 6 5 6 6 6 7 6 5 5 12 17 6 8 5 5 8 Dont know/no answer ---------1 0 9 9 12 8 7 9 9 9 8 9 12 7 10 11 6 8 8 9 10 8