[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 503 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 539
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 503
Recognizing June 20, 2016, as ``World Refugee Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 20, 2016
Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr.
Durbin, Mr. Coons, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Baldwin,
Mr. Markey, Mr. Booker, Mr. Brown, Mr. Reed, Mr. Peters, Mr.
Blumenthal, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Carper, Mr. Rubio, Mrs.
Boxer, and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
June 28, 2016
Reported by Mr. Corker, without amendment
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing June 20, 2016, as ``World Refugee Day''.
Whereas World Refugee Day is a global day to acknowledge the courage, strength,
and determination of women, men, and children who are forced to flee
their homes due to conflict, violence, and persecution;
Whereas according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (referred
to in this preamble as ``UNHCR'')--
(1) there are more than 65,300,000 displaced people worldwide, the
highest levels ever recorded, including almost 21,300,000 refugees,
40,800,000 internally displaced people, and 3,200,000 people seeking
asylum;
(2) children account for 51 percent of the refugee population in the
world, millions of whom are unable to access basic services including
education;
(3) nearly 4,800,000 refugees have fled Syria since the start of the
Syrian conflict and more than 6,600,000 people are internally displaced
within Syria;
(4) since January 2014, more than 3,300,000 Iraqis fleeing violence
have been internally displaced, and 277,000 refugees have fled to
neighboring countries;
(5) ongoing conflict, violence, and persecution have resulted in the
displacement of millions across South Sudan, Ukraine, Colombia, and the
Central African Republic;
(6) since April 2015, sporadic outbursts of violence in Burundi have
prompted more than 265,000 Burundians to flee to the neighboring countries
of Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
(7) violent insurgent attacks in Nigeria have forced 220,000 people to
flee to the neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, and have
internally displaced nearly 2,200,000 people;
(8) between January and June of 2016, more than 206,000 refugees and
migrants have crossed the Mediterranean Sea attempting to reach Europe and
at least 2,800 women, men, and children have died during such crossings or
are missing after such attempts; and
(9) approximately 95,000 women, men, and children, including many
persecuted Rohingya refugees from Burma, have departed on the boats of
smugglers in the Bay of Bengal since 2014, more than 1,100 of whom have
died at sea;
Whereas refugees who are women and girls are often at a greater risk of sexual
violence and exploitation, forced or early marriage, human trafficking,
and other forms of gender-based violence;
Whereas the United States is the largest donor to UNHCR and provides critical
resources and support to international and nongovernmental organizations
working with refugees around the world; and
Whereas since 1975, the United States has welcomed more than 3,000,000 refugees
who are resettled in communities across the country: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to
promote the safety, health, and well-being of the millions of
refugees, including the education of refugee children and
displaced persons who flee war, persecution, or torture in
search of peace, hope, and freedom;
(2) calls upon the United States Government--
(A) to continue its international leadership role
in response to those who have been displaced, including
the most vulnerable populations who may endure sexual
violence, human trafficking, forced conscription,
persecution, or exploitation;
(B) to find solutions to existing conflicts and
prevent new conflicts from beginning;
(C) to provide humanitarian and development support
to countries around the world that are hosting millions
of refugees to alleviate social and economic strains
placed on host communities; and
(D) to encourage the international community to
increase resources to address current and projected
refugee crises;
(3) commends those who have risked their lives working
individually and for nongovernmental organizations and
international agencies such as UNHCR who have provided life-
saving assistance and helped protect those displaced by
conflict around the world; and
(4) reiterates the strong commitment of the United States
to protect and assist millions of refugees and other forcibly
uprooted persons worldwide, consistent with the values of the
United States and with the interests of national security.
Calendar No. 539
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 503
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing June 20, 2016, as ``World Refugee Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 28, 2016
Reported without amendment