Speech #960183805

I will grant to the sponsor of the amendment that that is a change of position on some of their parts in recent weeks. So I point out that these are the very people who are directly involved in the resettlement problems and programs. and I believe their opinions should be carefully considered. So I think it is appropriate to create such an office in HEW. reporting to the Secretary. to insure that the refugee resettlement programs will receive the attention they deserve and not be diffused within the Department or shuttled off to an obscure corner on an organization chart. Since this is a new office. since our bill contains only a 2year authorization for this office. I trust that our Subcommittee on Immigration. Refugees and International Law will conduct continuing oversight into the operations of this office to determine that it is accomplishing what we desire. This office created in the bill as reported does appear to be the proper response at present to insure resettlement programs will be effectively managed. I want to allay one further fear. and that is that this office is going to in any way take over the present authority of the Refugee Coordinator. Quite the contrary. It is an office in HEW concerned with resettlement programs. The director of this office will administer the welfare and the training programs applicable to refugees. But under an amendment that will be offered later. Mr. Chairman. the present Refugee Coordinator will become director of an Office of Refugee Policy in the executive branch of the President. and I quote: He will be responsible for the development of overall United States refugee admission and resettlement policy and. second. the coordination of all United States domestic and international refugee admission and resettlement programs in a manner that assures the policy objectives are met in a timely fashion. So I see the new director of the Office of Refugee Policy as being superior to those other efforts. whether they be in the health field. the welfare field. or over in the Office of Education or in the Department of Labor. So I support title III as written. and I urge a no vote on the pending amendment.