Mr. Chairman. I welcome this opportunity to comment on section 104 of H.R. 1415which authorizes funds for migration and refugee assistance. The United States appropriately responds to world refugee crises both by providing assistance to refugees in different parts of the world and by facilitating the admission of refugees to our own country. Over the course of many years. I have derived tremendous personal satisfaction from the opportunity to help shape a generous U.S. refugee admissions programa program that gives expression to our humane values and sets an example for other countries. I recognize. however. that U.S. refugee admissions can provide a solution for only a very small percentage of the worlds refugees--limited numbers of those for whom local resettlement or repatriation Is not an option. Therefore. our ability to help alleviate the suffering of millions depends on our providing basic assistance to refugees overseas. The Committee on Foreign Affairs is to be commended for recommending significant increases in worldwide refugee assistance levelsa necessary response to regional developments that place populations in peril. The authorization levels in section 104 of H.R. 1415 are an expression of an enhanced American commitment to helping refugees in East Asia. Africa. Near East/South Asia. and in our own hemisphere. Section 104 includes $75 million earmarked for refugees resettling in Israel. We all recognize the great challenges faced by the State of Israel. a small country with very limited resources. in resettling hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Soviet Union and other countries. Those of us in the Congress who have fought for the right of Jews to emigrate are anxious to help Israel with this critically important humanitarian undertaking. The migration and refugee assistance provisions of H.R. 1415which include funds authorized for U.S. refugee admissions--merit the support of my colleagues in this body. Section 104 advances the foreign policy interests of the United States and reflects the compassion of the American people.
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emigrate refugee refugees