Speech #960290978

Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to express my support for H.R. 7859. the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980. The bill authorizes a new 3year program of grants to State educational agencies in meeting the educational needs of Cuban. Haitian. and Indochina refugees. As a former educator. I am especially aware of the difficulties faced by the State school systems in accommodating the children of recent immigrants. There is the primary language problemthey must learn English. Equally important. the children must adjust themselves to a new culture. a new way of life. The refugee children need programs that reach beyond the primary service of developing English proficiency. They need orientation into our society with the help of nutritional. medical. and counseling programs. I feel that it is the Federal Governments responsibility to fund these programs. The Government must extend its responsibility for the refugees to the area of education. Across the Nation. from Florida to California. schools are already inundated with these children. In Hawaii there are already over 6.000 Indochinese refugees. I am proud to call Hawaii the gateway to the Pacific. However. we can only continue to welcome Indochinese and other refugees if the Federal Government assists us in shouldering the financial burden of absorbing the refugee children into the school system. Finally. it is important to note that Federal Government funding of refugee education will benefit not only the immigrant children. but also. our own. In this year of inflation and fiscal restraint. the schools are already operating with reduced Federal funds. We must maintain the quality of our educational system and insure that American children continue to receive the same educational opportunities. The refugee childs school is the place in which he or she learns about American values. The refugees special educational needs must be met. so that they may be successfully integrated into our society. so that they may contribute to their new homeland as productive and responsible adults.0