[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNITION OF WORLD REFUGEE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2003

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I stand today as Ranking Member of the Africa 
Subcommittee and Member of the Refugee Caucus to recognize World 
Refugee Day, declared on June 20, 2000 by a special UN General Assembly 
Resolution. The Republic of Tanzania has a solid record of supporting 
and harboring the largest number of refugees in Africa and therefore I 
extend my respect unto this nation for its vitally important work. 
These refugees have fled from conflicts in neighboring countries such 
as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Somalia. I 
affirm and commend the generosity of Tanzania towards refugees and 
asylum seekers and urge that they be fully recognized by our nation.
  Statistics show that approximately 700,000 refugees have found safe 
haven in Tanzania. Tanzania has also displayed its generosity through 
the acceptance of 3,500 Somali Bantus for resettlement in the eastern 
part of the country. In the west, refugees fleeing conflict and 
genocide in countries like Burundi, Rwanda and Congo have also found 
refuge in this nation. Emerging from a long and bloody civil war that 
lasted a decade and claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people while 
displacing hundreds of thousands, Burundi is only now getting back on 
its feet. The Great Lakes Region of the African continent is one of 
great beauty and a long history but has in recent years been plagued by 
many bloody conflicts and ethnic warfare. The wars in the Congo and 
Rwanda are two more examples of such conflicts. Tanzania provided a 
safe haven for some 120,000 Congolese refugees and some 25,000 refugees 
from Rwanda by the end of 2001. I am hopeful that the on-going peace 
efforts in a number of these neighboring countries will hopefully 
provide the opportunity for these refugees to repatriate to their homes 
in safety and dignity. I must at the same time note that the resolution 
of the conflicts that have driven these refugees from their homes is 
not by any means guaranteed to be accomplished in the near future as 
the region is quite volatile and unpredictable. Therefore the 
generosity of Tanzania could very well be called upon again. This is 
even more reason that I offer my respect to this country that has 
provided this noble service.
  While harboring refugees is often perceived as being a burden, 
Tanzania provides an example of how this service can also be functional 
within the context of administering a nation. Refugees can provide 
human and economic resources for a nation to draw upon. On this Refugee 
Day I recognize the efforts of Tanzania and recognize the 3.1 million 
refugees and more than 10 million Internally Displaced Persons on the 
continent of Africa. May you soon be able to return to your homes in 
safety, security, and health.

                          ____________________