John Pastore of Rhode Island. who represented a large Portuguese constituency. and Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts. later to become the 35th President of the United States. offered to help those who were suffering as a result of this natural event that devastated the islands. They did so by drafting and passing the law of Azorean Refugee Act of It made available special nonquota immigrant visas available to the victims of the earthquakes and volcanoes. and it was extended until 1963. that allowed even more refugees to come to the United States. Between 1960 and 1980. over 175.000 Azoreans have come to establish and develop their roots in the United States and. at the same time. maintain their family relationships to their friends and their members of their families in the Azores and in Portugal. In fact. the 2000 U.S. Census showed that there were almost 2 million PortugueseAmericans in the United States. many of them of Azorean descent. Mr. Speaker. these Portuguese immigrants have contributed greatly to the fabric of our Nation. not only in the Northeast and New England. but in California as well. As has been noted. they have participated in all walks of life. In my district and Mr.
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Refugee visas immigrants refugees immigrant