Speech #1020149252

I would be remiss were I not to thank the distinguished subcommittee chairman. the gentleman from Massachusetts . as well as the ranking member. the gentleman from Pennsylvania . and certainly the distinguished chairman of the full Committee on the Judiciary. the gentleman from Texas . for their cooperation in letting this freshman Member be a participant in crafting this important legislation. Mr. Chairman. appropriations riders currently prohibit using Legal Services Corporation funds to provide representation for indigent refugees and other aliens. However. an amendment I authored that was adopted by the Judiciary Committee. will continue the current practice of allowing private funds to be used for representation of these. individuals. This provision ensures that many people in need will be provided quality legal representation. while protecting the freedom of local United Ways. foundations. and other private funding sources to decide how funds are to be used. These immigrant and refugee clients have presented some of the most desperate and heartwrenching cases seen by legal services attorneys. In Minnesota. for example. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services has received $500.000 from a consortium of eight foundations and corporations to provide civil legal services to Cambodian families who have settled in our State. Approximately onehalf of these cases involve representation of Cambodian families currently living in refugee camps in Thailand who seek to reunite with Cambodians living. in hinnesota. There is strong support in the State of Minnesota for legal assistance to immigrants and refugees. This is demonstrated by the broad base of financial support from foundations. corporations. churches. private agencies such as Catholic Charities and United Ways. State and local governments. as well as the Minnesota State Bar Association. While I recognize that fiscal realities require us to prioritize the use of Federal legal services dollars. we should not turn down refugees and other aliens who desperately need representation when private groups are willing to provide funding to represent these individuals. As now drafted. H.R. 2039 will ensure that many needy people who are ineligible for Legal Services Corporation funds will be provided quality legal representation through the generosity of local Untied Ways. foundations and other private funding sources.