Speech #1010106215

Mr. Speaker. I take great pleasure in saluting the work of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service [LIRS] on its 50th Anniversary. which we celebrate this fall. Sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod. and the Latvian Evangelical Luthem Church In America. LIRS exists soley to develop and carry out programs In response to the needs of the worlds uprooted people. Since 1939. LIRS has been responsible for the resettlement of over 15.000 refugees through partnership with Lutheran social ministry organizations. congregations and community people. Moreover. LIRS has mobilized thousands of congregational sponsors in its efforts to foster the wellbeing and selfsufficiency of refugees. and their full participation in American life. The very special humanitarian commitment of this organization is demonstrated in many ways. For example. LIRS has attempted to meet the resettlement needs of newcomers from around the world. and the organizations programs have served refugees from Southeast Asia. Africa. the Near East. and Europe. In addition. LIRS has demonstrated a commitment to the most vulnerable of the refuge population. and has been deeply involved in efforts to resettle Amerasian children from Vietnam. Moreover. LIRS is one of two U.S. resettlement agencies authorized to place unaccompanied refugee children with foster families. I should also note that LIRS has not restricted its activities to refugee resettlement. but has attempted to meet the broad array of needs faced by the worlds uprooted people. For example. LIRS supports social and legal service projects designed to assist undocumented aliens in the United States. LIRS has not confined itself simply to social services activities as they are conventionally defined. but has also been Involved In efforts to chart a more humane immigration and refugee policy within the United States and among the nations of the world. In the United States. this has Involved. among other things. attempts to encourage Congress to expand protection for persons seeking temporary "safe haven" from civil unrest and other con-