[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           WORLD REFUGEE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as a co-chair of the newly 
formed Refugee Caucus, I rise on behalf of the world's 15 million 
refugees on the eve of World Refugee Day, which occurred last Friday, 
June 20th.
  We know that the plight of refugees throughout the world is 
precarious. They have fled war, persecution, natural disasters, and 
severe poverty in their home countries. The lucky few live in camps, 
where attempts are made to provide the basic necessities but disease 
and hopelessness run rampant.
  Those not in the camps are left to fend for themselves, aliens in a 
foreign land where they often lack food and shelter. Refugees who try 
to find work are often exploited and many women and children refugees 
become victims of forced sex trafficking rings.
  It is not only important to remember the plight of the refugees, but 
also to remember those who have reached out to help the refugees. We 
know that UNHCR, The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, International Rescue 
Committee, Immigration Refugee Services of America, International 
Catholic Migration Agency, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, 
Episcopal Migration Ministries, Church World Service, and many others 
provide tremendous and compassionate support for refugees throughout 
the world.
  We also know that numerous governments have been generous in 
accepting refugees into their borders, including many in Africa. I 
would like to take a moment to recognize one of these governments--The 
Republic of Zambia.
  For the last three decades, Zambia has been one of the most generous 
hosts of refugees in the world. Zambia's history of refugee protection 
began with its independence in 1964, when it hosted refugees fleeing 
wars in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. By 
1967, UNHCR was operational in Zambia and remains today, working in 
partnership to protect refugees. Through the years, Zambia has afforded 
refugees freedom of movement, access to educational and social services 
including medical treatment, and land for farming.
  In recent years Zambia has generously hosted over 280,000 refugees. 
Last year, Zambia launched an innovative and collaborative response to 
under-developed in local communities greatly impacted by large-scale 
and long-term refugee populations. The United States contributed $1 
million to the ``Zambian Initiative'' which has worked to integrate 
long-staying Angolan refugees in Zambia's West Province. By promoting 
longer-term development of the education, health, environment and 
agriculture sectors and by allowing refugees and local populations to 
have equal access to these programs, the Zambian Initiative has offered 
a model to all countries hosting refugees.
  I commend the continuing efforts of the Zambian government in seeking 
progressive national policies that have helped integrate refugees into 
their nation. I hope that the generosity of Zambia towards refugees and 
asylum seekers can be fully recognized by both our government and 
governments throughout the world. I am confident that they will 
continue to remain a generous supporter of refugees and hope that other 
nations will follow their example.

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