Speech #970098239

Mr. Speaker. it is a great privilege for me to pay tribute to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). the recipient of the 1981 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. an honor awarded the office for an unprecedented second time. This deserved recognition is an inspiration to all involved in refugee work. Founded 30 years ago. the UNHCR is the chief source of reassurance and assistance to over 13 million refugees throughout the world. Its two main functions are international protection of refugees and the promotion of durable solutions to their plight. with material assistance available for such activities. It has been my privilege as ranking member of the Immigration. Refugee. and International Law Subcommittee to know the High Commissioner and to have met the able and dedicated members of his staff working with refugees throughout the world. Amid global economic uncertainties. the UNHCR continues to extend unlimited humanitarian assistance to the mounting numbers of homeless men. women. and children. Serving his third year of a 5year term. High Commissioner Poul Hartling put it quite nicely: The hospitality offered by one human being to another. by one family to another. is the vital foundation of the fragile edifice of international solidarity with the uprooted. The ultimate goal of this solidarity is to give refugees a new hope. a new existence. and above all. a new dignity. When human dignity is violated. refugees are created. when refugees are helped. human dignity is restored. As long as this world continues to produce wars. social strife. or persecution for reasons of race. religion. nationality. membership of a particular social group. or particular social group. or political opinion. it is indeed certain that the UNHCR will be needed in the assistance of uprooted persons for many. many years to come.*