Speech #1020075334

The preamble was agreed to. The Joint resolution. with its preamble. is as follows: S.J. Rio. 192 Whereas in the past decade. the plight of refugees worldwide has been deepening as the world refugee population has more than doubled from 7.300.000 to 16.000.000. Whereas more than 80 percent of these refugees are women and children. Whereas onethird of the refugee population is found in Africa where the host countries have the weakest infrastructure and are the least able to sustain such large numbers of destitute people in flight. Whereas the international effort to respond to the refugee crisis worldwide with the formulation of the United Nations Convention on Refugees and the founding of the Office of the United Nations High Comrnmissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) marks its fortieth anniversary in 1991. Whereas the United States has always played a leading role in refugee matters worldwide. Whereas the origins of the United States as a land of refuge for those escaping persecution and the development of the United States as a nation of immigrants gives the country a deep understanding of and sympathy for the plight of the 16.000.000 refugees in the world. Whereas refugees who have come to the United States have made significant contributions to the country. Whereas the United States has consistently encouraged other countries to expand the effort to help the needy population of refugees and has worked to find both shortterm and longterm solutions to the refugee crisis. and Whereas the current world refugee situation requires that the United States continue to be a leader in refugee affairs and in the efforts to meet the growing challenges of the refugee crisis: Now. therefore. be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatiues of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That(1) October 30. 1991 is designated as "Refugee Day". and (2) the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.