[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           PAY UP, WASHINGTON

  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Seaker, another boat-load of refugees arrived in 
America from tempest-tossed Haiti this week. Tragically, several 
drowned on their way. Those that made it ashore have disappeared 
without HIV screening or asylum processing.
  In the eyes of the Federal Government, it is almost as if they don't 
exist, as if they are not people. But to budget-strapped Florida, they 
are people in need and a costly reality. Immigration--legal and 
illegal--is a Federal problem, but Washington is not offering concrete 
solutions and Floridians are picking up the tab for an estimated 
345,000 illegals. In 1992, the cost to Floridians of this non-policy 
was $793 million. In desperation, Florida's Governor Chiles has filed a 
lawsuit to pursue reimbursement. The 25-member Florida congressional 
delegation strongly supports his effort. After lessons learned during 
NAFTA, I hope the administration does not intend to ignore the fourth 
largest delegation on the hill. It is time for Washington to pay up.

                          ____________________