Speech #960175481

I thank the gentlewoman and would agree with her. I would like to conclude my remarks by pointing out that there is a fundamental difference between being an immigrant and being a refugee. An immigrant is a person who would like to come to the United States in search of the American dream. usually looking for personal opportunity. a chance to have a better life. That is also true of the refugee. but a refugee comes not only in search of the American dream but to escape a desperate personal nightmare. That person is coming not only looking for personal opportunity but physical safety. refuge and sanctuary. Unfortunately. the problems of refugees will not go away. Americans can be proud of our history of accepting refugees. It is not an accident that the Statue of Liberty is one of our most honored national symbols. Our policies as a nation should continue to reflect those principles. The door to freedom must always remain open. We should be prepared to deal with todays refugees in a fair. compassionate. coherent. humane way. and I believe the HoltzmanFish legislation establishes those principles. [] 1640