Speech #990050363

I would at this point commend the gentleman for his statement. I know others from my region will make the same statement. I hope that this body will reject this amendment and play fairly with all the communities in this country that have played host at the invitation of the Federal Government to these groups of refugees that have come here. Between 196080. the assimilation of Cuban refugees progressed well through the efforts of the refugees themselves. the support of the community. and generous Federal assistance. The Mariel boatlift in 1980 dramatically altered the community. The unexpected and chaotic arrival of 100.000 unscreened Cubansa significant group of whom were hardcore criminals or mentally illtogether with the influx of Haitians. many of whom had serious health problems. had an overwhelming impact on the community and its institutions. Under the FascellStone amendment. Congress provided reimbursement to the State and local communities for some costs of providing domestic assistance to the CubanHaitian entrants for a limited period of time. When regulations issued by the Office of Refugee Resettlement in 1982 cut off benefits to more than 75 percent of the Cubai/Haltian entrants and placed the entire burden of their support on State and local governments. Congress again responded through the creation of the Impact Aid Program. Since 1982. the Office of Refugee Resettlement has been directed to assist counties with large refugee/entrant populations in offsetting severe local impacts resulting from the termination of Federal assistance. In fiscal year 1983. the Office of Refugee Resettlement institutionalized this Impact Aid Program and renamed it the Targeted Assistance Program. Four counties in Florida (Dade. Broward.