Mr. Chairman. I intend to vote against H.R. 5879. the refugee assistance amendments of 1982. I will do so. not because I am opposed to the Federal Government assisting in the care and resettlement of refugees. I favor such assistance. I oppose this legislation. however. because it fails to address the tragic plight of Haitian refugees in this country. This legislation will perpetuate the racially discriminatory policies our Government is applying to Haitian refugees. Since 1958. hundreds of thousands of Haitians have fled their homeland. some 250.000 finding refuge in the United States. In the last 8 years. more than 35.000 have risked their lives in paltry sailboats to make the 800mile trek to Florida.
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refugee refugees