Speech #980177952

Mr. Speaker. recently. all 28 members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the President seeking his personal intervention into the fiscal year 1984 funding decisions of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. In addition. in a letter to the Comptroller General. we have requested an investigation concerning the possibly unlawful impoundment of some $35.6 million appropriated under the continuing resolution for refugee social services. The refugee program is the fulfillment of the Federal responsibility toward those individuals granted refuge in the United States. The cuts in social services and targeted assistance reflect an attempt to renege on that responsibility. The following States have areas which are highly impacted by refugee/ entrant populations and will be particularly hurt by the proposed cuts. The amounts lost. according to ORRs published targeted assistance and social services allocations. are also shown: Amounts cost California ......................................... $9.015.762 Colorado ........................................... 243.898 Florida .............................................. 6.290.881 H awaii ............................................... 236.321 Illinois ............................................... 1.106.823 K ansas .............................................. 249.489 Louisiana .......................................... 225.489 M aryland .......................................... 237.171 M assachusetts ................................. 448.401 Minnesota ................... 756.657 M issouri ............................................ 136.951 New Jersey ....................................... 543.538 New York .......................................... 1.052.242 Oregon .............................................. 621.929 Pennsylvania .................................... 508.193 Rhode Island ................................... 288.751 Texas ................................................. 768.982 U tah .................................................. 188.745 Virginia ............................................. 589.960 W ashington ...................................... 933.418 For the record. I am today submitting our letter to the Comptroller General and to the President.