Mr. President. I am sponsoring this amendment today along with Senator THURMOND. chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. and others. to restore the funding cuts for Indochinese refugee assistance to the levels recommended by the Reagan administration. As a Senator from a State which has the fourth largest population in the country of Indochinese refugees. I am very sensitive to funding cuts which shift the burden for resettling refugees from the Federal Government back to the States. It is my firm belief that the initial cost of resettling refugeeswhether they be Indochinese. Cuban. Latin Americans. or Soviet Jewsis the sole responsibility of the Federal Government. If it is deemed in the national interest to admit refugees to this country. the Federal Government should be prepared to take the responsibility for their resettlement expenses rather than shouldering States with this burden. When refugees arrive on our shores unable to speak English. and without any food. clothing. or shelter there are. undeniably. shortterm expenses involved in resettling these newcomers. I do not for a minute propose that the Federal Government commit itself to openended funding for refugee resettlement programs. but initially. there are expenses for basic needs which we cannot ignore. And it is my opinion. Mr.
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