After 7 years of resettlement efforts. the Hmong are showing greater and greater signs of success. One of the reasons for this is the generous efforts of U.S. citizens who have helped the Hmong adjust to American culture and practices. Recently in my own State. one Oregonian lost his life in a courageousicttempt to save two Indochinese refugees. For the last 7 years of his life. Mike Raz had been a friend to the Indochinese community of Portland. He had given freely of his time and energies. and his love for his newfound friends led him to lay down his life for two of them who were drowning. It is because of the generosity and kindness of people like Mike Raz that the U.S. refugee policy in Southeast Asia is the tremendous humanitarian success that it is. The refugees in Ban Vinal and elsewhere owe a debt of gratitude to Mike. because if there were not American citizens willing to welcome incoming refugees. then the future of the U.S. refugee program would be bleak. Mr. President. the fate of the Indochinese refugees resides with the decisions we make here in the United States. The real solution for the refugees is found in political and economic stability in their homelands in a manner which will allow them the chance to return there. But until that day comes. we must persist with efforts to continue to assist refugees in Southeast Asia. And thanks to loving people like Mike Raz and millions of others. we can be certain that this work will be done in a most American way. Mr.
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