Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise in support of House Joint Resolution 653. designating October 30. 1990. as Refugee Day. And I would like to take this opportunity to commend my good friend from Florida. the distinguished chairman of our Foreign Affairs Committee. Mr. FAsCELL. for introducing this resolution. It is with gratification that we in the United States view the recent positive changes in Eastern Europe and throughout the world. In particular. it is heartening to observe that democracy and the right to emigrate go hand in hand. The history of the United States would not be complete without the many success stories of refugees who came to our shores. Further. these success stories continue today with the relaxation of Soviet and Eastern European emigration. While we are facing a minor crisis with the numbers of refugees leaving the Soviet Union. it is a situation we can rejoice in. After so many years of hard work. these people are finally free. Mr. Speaker. unfortunately. in many parts of the world human beings are still forced to flee their homelands to escape serious threats to themselves and their families. Today. there are over 15 million refugees throughout the world. sometimes living in conditions so horrible that death is a commonplace event. However. it is hoped that this resolution will bring attention to the plight of the refugees throughout the world. and I urge my colleagues to support this timely legislation.
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emigrate Refugee emigration refugees