Speech #960244648

I have asked for this time of the Senate to share with my colleagues my views on this most serious situation. Mr. President. the American people are deeply upset about the events of the last few months with regard to Cuban refugees. There have been riots and fires in and around Fort Chaffee. Ark. The riots in Miami over a week ago have been attributed in part to the tensions in the black community about Cuban refugees. A veterans hospital in Tampa. Fla.. treated 13 Cuban refugees for psychiatric care while eligible veterans entitled to such care were turned away. No wonder the American people are up in arms. This chaotic situation can. for the most part. be placed at the feet of one personPresident Jimmy Carter. When the President made the statement that we would welcome Cuban refugees with "open hearts and open arms." such a statement misled the Cubans and other people to believe that all were free to come here. There is absolutely no excuse for this situation to have gotten out of hand. as it now has. President Carter has had the authority under the law to act firmly and decisively in this matter.