[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 306 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 306

     To recognize and honor the world's nearly 20,000,000 refugees.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 7, 2005

Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas submitted the following resolution; 
     which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     To recognize and honor the world's nearly 20,000,000 refugees.

Whereas there are nearly 20,000,000 refugees and other persons of concern to the 
        Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the 
        vast majority of whom are women or children under the age of 18;
Whereas women and children are among the most vulnerable of refugee populations, 
        routinely subject to separation from family, exploitation, and abuse;
Whereas refugee women endure rape, abduction, and trafficking at the hands of 
        fellow refugees, host communities, local authorities, or humanitarian 
        workers;
Whereas after fleeing conflict and persecution, refugees often survive through 
        the unthinkable;
Whereas for more than 50 years, UNHCR has provided international protection and 
        assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, and other persons of concern, 
        has sought durable solutions to their problems, and has twice received 
        the Nobel Peace Prize for its work;
Whereas UNHCR is a voice for the world's refugees, reminding the world not only 
        of their plight but of all their accomplishments and contributions;
Whereas the United States Government continues to be the leading donor to UNHCR 
        and for humanitarian assistance to refugees world-wide;
Whereas the commitment of the United States to refugee assistance and protection 
        is a mainstay of United States foreign policy;
Whereas the United States continues to be the biggest resettlement country in 
        the world, offering a new home to the world's most deserving refugees; 
        and
Whereas in 2004, the United States welcomed over 52,000 refugees from Africa, 
        Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) World Refugee Day is dedicated to recognize and honor 
        refugees throughout the world;
            (2) within the framework of international solidarity, there 
        should be better protection for refugees; and
            (3) all refugees should be treated humanely and with 
        respect for their human rights and dignity.
                                 <all>