Madam Speaker. on April 1st. the House of Representatives approved an important piece of legislation. H. Res. 185. expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the creation of refugee populations in the Middle East. North Africa. and the Persian Gulf region. I was proud to support the passage of this legislation because it recognized all those who have suffered during this longstanding conflict. For the first time in my memory. the House of Representatives has gone on record to say that the refugee population in the Middle East is not simply comprised of Palestinians. it is also the 850.000 Jews who have been displaced from Arab countries since the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948. The U.S.led roadmap to peace specifically calls for an "agreed. just. fair. and realistic solution to the refugee issue." and in my opinion. and in the unanimous and united opinion of this House. that means Jewish and nonJewish refugees alike. Throughout my tenure in the United States Congress. I have seen the U.S. act as a stalwart champion of human rights. and I have seen this House stand up and voice concerns about the treatment of refugees and minorities. as well as concems on violations of basic human rights throughout the Middle East and elsewhere. As the U.S. continues to play a pivotal role in seeking an end to the ArabIsraeli conflict in the Middle East. I urge my colleagues to continue to speak out and remind the world that we must not overlook the Jewish refugee problem in our enthusiasm for peace. I look forward to working with my colleagues to further this important effort.
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refugee refugees