Speech #1010107729

Amerasian young people. Southeast Asians. Africans. and refugees from the Near East. LIRS serves as an important voice for refugees at all levelsfrom local to international. More than 6.000 congregational sponsors have taken part in this resettlement process. welcoming thousands of newcomers to our country and helping to integrate them into American life. These local groups also deserve praise for their untiring work in accepting newcomers with open arms and hearts. As the only refugee serving in the U.S. Senate. the plight of refugees and immigrants Is a deep concern of mine. I have worked closely with LIRS in the past. and look forward to a continued close working relationship. With more than 14 million refugees throughout the world. those of us who are committed to resettling refugees and immigrants recognize that we still face many challenges. I am confident that LIRS will continue to be a leader in speaking out on behalf of refugees and immigrants worldwide and will continue working to meet the needs of all refugees and immigrants. Once again. I am proud to have the opportunity today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.*