Perhaps my vision is a little bit clearer on this issue because I represent Texas. There are 100 million people between the Panama Canal and the border between Mexico and Texas. Today. one out of every 5 Nicaraguans is a political refugee. Communism is not a very effective economic system. but it is very effective in creating political refugees. I want to ask my colleague as we debate this issue: If we do not provide military assistance. and if the President is right. and the Communists gain a foothold on the mainland of the Americas. it will set off a tidal wave of humanity seeking political freedom. economic security and protection. When a tidal wave of humanity comes across the border into Texas. how many people who are opposed to the Presidents aid package today are going to be willing to take some of these political refugees? They are going to come into Texas by the millions if we allow Central America to be disrupted by Communist insurgency. Perhaps we ought to have today. if this package fails. a refugee sharing program. a program whereby all the Members of the Senate who do not support the aid package would commit as to how many political refugees they are willing to relocate in their State. I am deeply concerned because most of the population of my State is closer to Nicaragua than it is to Washington. DC.
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refugee refugees