Mr. President. I also want to join my colleagues today in honoring on the floor of the Senate the extraordinary service of one of the unsung heroes of Americas refugee programs in recent yearsthe work of Jim Purcell as Director of the Department of States Bureau of Refugee Programs. After 7 years of distinguished service. he is leaving his post. Mr. President. but he is also leaving a vacuum that will be hard to fill. We often hear. in too many quarters in this city. disparaging comments about civil servants and government workers. Yet. to those of us who have closely followed our Nations refugee programs in recent yearsinvolving millions of dollars every yearwe know that our successes in responding to the needs of refugees would simply not have been possible without the dedicated service of government servants such as Jim Purcell. Over the past several years. his quiet but steady hand has helped guide our response in meeting the enormous needs of refugees that we in the international community have faced throughout the world. His management skills have helped us to marshall our resources to the maximum benefit. and helped give substance to Americas long and proud tradition of helping those who are in need. and in welcoming the homeless to our shores. As he moves to new and other challenging assignments. I am pleased to have this opportunity to add my voice in honoring Mr. Purcells outstanding contributions to Americas refugee programsto those who need our assistance the most. the millions of men. women and children who are refugees today in search of peace and relief in so many corners of our world.
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