Speech #990050259

Mr. Chairman. I wish to rise in support of the adoption of the bill before us. the Refugee Assistance Extension Act of 1985. It was passed by an 81 vote in the Subcommittee on Immigration. Refugees. and International Law. and reported by the full Judiciary Committee on a 303 vote. H.R. 1452. I believe. attempts to resolve problems which plagued last years bill. and it forges new inroads into establishing accountability with respect to future refugee resettlement. Many will recall that in 1980. the Congress adopted the Refugee Act. in which it authorized domestic resettlement activities for individuals who meet the international definition of "refugee" and for whom the international community of nations has accepted responsibility. Ever since September 1983. we have been without specific legislative authority to fund refugee resettlement efforts. and even though funding by way of a continuing resolution seems to be the way we are doing business here on Capitol Hill. I do not believe it is the best way. It is imperative. therefore. that those who are responsible for the resettlement of refugees within this country have in hand specific authorization to do so by way of H.R. 1452. Ever since 1981. when we settled approximately 160.000 refugees. until this year. 1985. in which we have settled some 33.000 through March. the United States has assumed its share of the responsibility for accepting the worlds dispossessed. This bill is particularly important because it legislatively preserves the responsibilities and obligations of both those who supervise this resettlement and the refugees themselves. At present. Mr. Chairman. some 54 percent of all refugees who have been in the United States for 36 months or less. the socalled timeeligible group. are receiving some form of public assistance. In my home State of California. I am distressed to say. the percentage is much higher. it is almost 85 percent.