Speaker. as a cosponsor I want to express my strong support for House Resolution 509. a resolution offered by my good friend and colleague. LINDy BOGGS. which recognizes the actions of Thailand regarding the Kampuchean tragedy. The resolution puts this House on record as officially recognizing the great service and valiant efforts of the Thai Government and Thai people in their work to aid the Karnpuchean refugees. Thailand should be very proud of its humanitarian and generous actions in response to the tragedy. In the past 4 years. approximately 4 million Kampucheans have died as a result of the strife and famine in that nation. The horror which I viewed in Thailand and Kampuchea several weeks ago along with several of my colleagues is almost beyond comprehension. The sight of starving and dying people there have left me permanently affected. with visions of gaunt children indelibly marked in my mind. Currently. over 300.000 Kampuchean refugees are living in Thailand. The number of new refugees continues to multiply daily. Thailand is not a wealthy country. the Kampuchean refugees represent a new drain on the Thai economy and a large sacrifice for the Thai people. Therefore. Thailands response to the tragedy is even more remarkable and noteworthy. Thailand has opened its border to the refugees and has provided them with firstnation asylum. It has permitted the establishment of refugee camps on Thai territory where the refugees can live. Finally. the Thai Government has worked closely with International relief agencies and private groups to insure that the refugees are provided with food and other assistance. Our Government must recognize the actions of the Thai Government with a deep sense of admiration. Moreover. our Government must reaffirm our own commitment to help save the Kampuchean people. Thailand neither can. nor should be expected to shoulder the burden on its own. It is essential that we send food and other aid. In addition. we must accept into our country a reasonable number of refugees for permanent resettlement. All governments of the world should follow the example set by the people of Thailand in helping to put an end to the Kampuchean nightmare.*
Keywords matched
refugee refugees