Mr. President. compounding the impact on California and other immigrantintense states of SLIAG cuts. the LaborHealth and Human Services Appropriations bill reported by the Committee has no funds for the refugee education program pending enactment of legislation to extend the Refugee Assistance Extension Act. which expires September 30. 1989. Last year California received $5.492.812 under the refugee education program. It provided supplementary services to 25.742 refugee students. of which 12.877 were enrolled in elementary grades and 12.865 at the secondary level. 127 California school districts participated in last years program. What the loss of refugee education funding means is the loss of special English language development instruction services to help refugee kids move into the core academic curriculum. loss of special training activities for instructional staff who work with refugee children. loss of special teaching materials. development programs. and severe cuts in parent training activities aimed at bringing the refugee parents and the schools closer together. Mr. President. I understand both the budgetary constraints and the intense competition for funds under which the Committee made its judgments. But I find it sad and dismaying that while we continue to be appropriately magnanimous in our welcome to refugees. we cut the heart out of programs that help them when they get here. In this case. we are making it more difficult for refugee children to get the kind of educational foothold they need to make it in America. When the Refugee Assistance Extension Act is extended. as I am confident it will be. I will work to provide funds for the education of refugee children at the earliest possible opportunity. I hope to be joined by Senators from other States that are heavily im.pacted by refugees. as well as by Senators who simply agree with me that we have an important commitment to honor.
Keywords matched
immigrantintense Refugee refugee refugees