Speech #960239764

I believe that our Nation will welcome those from the Cuban freedom flotilla as readily as we have welcomed those from Southeast Asia. and in earlier centuries those from Europe. However. I realize that because of the economic problems facing our Nation today. there are many who are expressing concern about this new influx of refugees. It has been said that we cannot afford to help these refugees or that they will take jobs away from our own citizens. I certainly can understand the apprehension. but the facts do not necessarily bear this out. For example. the Cuban communities throughout the country. including San Antonio. have borne the m.ior share of help to the newcomers by having a variety of fund raising efforts. Thus far. the President has ordered that s$1 million be made available from the Presidents emergency fund. to deal with the initial urocessing of those fleeing Cuba. but that is the extent of the Federal funds at this time. Also. for those who express concern about this new influx of people. it is important to keep in mind that 70 percent of the newcomers have relatives or close ties within the United States. so the volunteer agencies will only have to concentrate on locating sponsors for about onefourth of those arriving from Cuba. We are a nation of immigrants and we cannot forget or ignore that fact. We only have to take a few minutes and think about where we would be if our forefathers had been turned away from these shores. People of all nations look to us as the symbol of freedom in this world. This is our image and the inscription on the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor confirms it. The inscription begins. "Give me your tired. your poor. your huddled masses yearning to be free." I am convinced that the people across our Nation believe this. although many of our recent frustrations. both economic and diplomatic. have somewhat blurred the meaning. But we should welcome the new refugees to our Nation on this Memorial Day. and give to them the opportunity to live in a free nation and to become a part of this Nation. which stands as the symbol of a people free from tyranny and other forms of suppression that afflict so many in our world today.0