Mr. Speaker. today marks the 50th anniversary of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service [LIRS]. I would like to join my colleagues in recognizing this very Important date for one of the worlds finest refugee resettlement agencies and one of two U.S. resettlement agencies authorized to place unaccompanied refugee children with foster families. The tireless advocacy of LIRS for worlds refugees Is to be commended. LIRS has resettled more than 155.000 refugees through partnership with Lutheran social ministry organizations. congregations and communities since 1939. The number of unaccompanied minors. the most vulnerable of the refugee population. placed In foster homes since 1978 Is more than 3.000. Families from Vietnam. Cambodia. Hungary. the Soviet Union. and many other countries have been resettled and Involved in a network of thousands of dedicated sponsors In local churches and communities across the country. LIRS has been a consistent resource In enabling those with a well founded fear of persecution to seek legal protection In the United States as well as providing assistance to those persons taking steps to become lawful Immigrants. In my home State of Massachusetts. the work of LIRS Is well known and has added to the very fabric of our life as a Commonwealth. If Bogdan Saudis could tell you his story today. you would hear of a Polish worker. a member of Solidarity. who fled persecution In his homeland and now lives and works in Massachusetts as a computer programmer.
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Immigration Refugee Immigrants refugees refugee