Mr. President. today I am joined by my colleagues on the Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs. Senator SIMPSON and Senator SIMON. in introducing legislation to reauthorize the refugee resettlement program through fiscal year 1994. Yesterday. the chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Law. Immigration and Refugees introduced identical legislation. on which we are hopeful of prompt enactment. Over the past 2 years. there has been considerable discussion among those involved with refugee resettlement regarding improvements which might be made to the program. Those debates reached no final conclusion. I am hopeful that they can continue into the coming year and that all involvedState and local governments. voluntary agencies. and mutual assistance associations--will have a voice in the ongoing deliberations over the program. In the meantime. continuing funding considerations require that we reauthorize the program through next year. and our legislation would do so without changing the existing authorities under the current program. The rescue and resettlement of refugees is one our Nations oldest and proudest traditions. Resettlement needs continue as we assist refugees from Bosnia. former political prisoners from Vietnam. persecuted minorities from the former Soviet Union. and so many other refugees who have no alternative but to flee. And we must ensure that we maintain the capability to assist these refugees as they seek to start their new lives in a new land. Mr. President.
Keywords matched
Immigration refugees Refugee refugee Refugees