Speaker. it is with a sense of urgency that I join with my distinguished colleague from California. Congressman JULIAN DIxON. in cosponsoring House Joint Resolution 202 (S.J. Res. 61). to authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation designating April 9. 1981. as "African Refugee Relief Day." The more than 4 million refugees onthe continent of Africa. predominantly women and children must have our support. They are innocent victims of armed conflict. drought. and political unrest and should point out to us the need for the nonviolent resolution of conflict and the human cost of increasted militarization. It is also important to note that the many African countries impacted by refugee populations have met their responsibilities with a superb demonstration of humanitarian concern. While this is true. the African countries so impacted generally lack sufficient resources to provide the necessary relief and to carry on muchneeded development efforts. It is for this reason that the Congressional Black Caucus in our constructive alternative budget has called for and restored $32 million to migration and refugee assistance for a recommended total of $585 million and has called for the earmarking of 20 percent of these funds for refugees on the African Continent. Such a budget commitment and the passage of House Joint Resolution 202 (S.J. Res. 61) will signal to the world our countrys commitment to the tragedy unfolding in Africa.*
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Refugee refugee refugees