Speech #1030037661

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support. somewhat hesitant support. because Florida is overburdened and undercompensated on its fair share of refugee costs. Mr. Speaker. over the last 40 years. 1 million refugees have entered the United States by way of the State of Florida. It is estimated that at least 85 percent have settled In Florida and I assure you. the trend has not abated. I rise today in the hope that this reauthorization of the Vital Refugee Resettlement Act will bring a new emphasis on the word "partnership" when we refer to the relationship of the Federal and State governments in refugee resettlement. To quote from a letter sent by the Governors of Florida. Texas. California. New York. and Illinois: The decision to admit immigrants and refugees is strictly a Federal one and therefore carries with it a firm federal commitment to provide full reimbursement to the states for services provided to the immigrant and refugee population. Sadly. the reverse is true. The Federal Government has cut back its supportcovering fewer numbers of refugees for a shorter period of time. Large border States have been absorbing the bulk of refugees costs for far too long. While I am happy to say that Florida boasts an exemplary refugee programpulling together a network of voluntary agencies. mutual assistance associations. State and local governmentsthere is a growing number of people that we are unable to reach. For the people in our network. we have a welfare dependency rate of under 20 percentaccomplished while keeping our administrative cost rate under 10 percent. All of this has been accomplished without the help of any Federal demonstration grants. Unfortunately. these statistics fall far short of meeting the needs of Floridas refugees who crowd our schools. our hospitals. and our labor force. There are still large numbers of elderly refugees who dont know that they qualify for Medicaidthere are children who are not attending school because their parents dont know that they can attend school without papers. We arb facing Ignorance and unused talents. Nurses. lawyers. and accountants are doing lawn maintenance. housework. and waiting tables because they do not know of an agency that can help them. These people are ready. willing and able to make a significant contribution to our community but we are unable to facilitate their assimilation. If the Federal Government is going to be a partner In the refugee resettlement challenge facing this country. we must stop funding with Inflexible and outdated formulas that direct money to States with few refugees and instead. place the emphasis on the States and the people who need it most.