President. I am very pleased today to be working with Senators KENNEDY. ABRAHAM. and HARKIN in their efforts to reauthorize the Refugee Act of 1980. Through the Office of the U.S. Coordinator for Refugee Affairs. we are better able to develop a comprehensive national strategy to help our State and local governments assimilate the individuals that have fled persecution. injustice. and war. The Federal Government has welcomed these individuals to our shores. Our local governments welcome them to their communitiesand through the programs of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. we make sure that they acquire the skills needed to adjust to our society and become selfsufficient. productive members of society. as soon as possible. More than 17.000 refugees and entrants arrived in Florida in fiscal year 1996. In fiscal year 1995. this number was higher than 36.000. Between 1992 and 1996. more than 70.000 refugees and entrants settled in Dade County. Without the programs of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. this influx would be a tremendous financial burden on State and local governments. The arrival of refugees and entrants is a Federal decision. these costs should not be shifted to State and local taxpayers. By reauthorizing the Refugee Act of 1980. we can continue to offer protection from those fleeing persecutionand make sure that we are addressing the needs of these vulnerable members of our society in a humane. just. comprehensive. and costeffective manner. Senator KENNEDY is to be commended on his leadership on this issue. I am proud to work with him and our Senate colleagues to ensure the passage of this measure.
Keywords matched
refugees Refugee