Speech #1010107732

Mr. President. I rise today to congratulate the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service [LIRS] represents the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church. both based in Chicago. as well as the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod. based in St. Louis. It is an organization dedicated to the welfare of displaced personsthe victims of war. oppression and upheaval. Through its network of social ministries and congregations. LIRS has helped to resettle more than 155.000 refugees since 1939. Refugees from around the world have benefited from LIRSs good work. Most recently. LIRS has made its mark in the refugee crises afflicting Southeast Asia. Africa. and the Soviet Union. MARS performs a particularly important service as one of only two organizations that resettles unaccompanied children. LIRS has succeeded in placing more than 3.000 children in foster care over the past decade. With the worlds population of refugees swelling to more than 13 million. the services of groups like LIRS are critical. On both the local and international level. private/voluntary organizations help governments grapple with the growing refugee problem. Indeed. it is the PVOs like LIRS which are truly on the front lines of refugee policy. LIRS works for Just and humane public policies and practices regarding refugees and immigrants. LIRS helps ensure fair treatment of refugees seeking asylum in the United States. and stands behind them through the application process. As the number of refugees seeking entry Into the United States reaches overwhelming proportions. the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service will face its toughest challenges ever. I know that LIRSs record of service over the past 50 years will be matched and exceeded during the next 50 years. LIRS deserves our thanks. our congratulations. and our request to keep up the good work on this milestone. 50th anniversary.9