[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 9 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE IRAQI REFUGEE AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS HUMANITARIAN 
           ASSISTANCE, RESETTLEMENT, AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 15, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Madam Speaker, I rise today with my good 
friend and colleague, Congressman John Dingell and almost 15 original 
cosponsors in strong support of the Iraqi Refugee and Internally 
Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security 
Act of 2009, a bill which I am reintroducing for the 1st Session of the 
111th Congress.
  The comprehensive legislation I am introducing today addresses this 
crisis and the potential security break-down resulting from the mass 
influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries and the growing 
internally displaced population in Iraq, and also facilitates the 
resettlement of Iraqis at risk.
  The plight of Iraqi refugees and IDP's is worsening by the day. It is 
heartbreaking to hear the stories of families who fled for their 
safety, are now unable to work and have subsequently depleted their 
savings in order to survive.
  I believe that the United States has a moral obligation to take the 
lead and provide a `humanitarian surge' in responding to this crisis. 
The future of the Middle East depends on it.
  I would like to thank Congressman Dingell for his continued 
leadership in the House of Representatives on this issue and for his 
help in drafting this legislation as well as the other original co-
sponsors supporting this bill. As I have said on many occasions, this 
must not be a partisan issue, but rather Congress and the 
Administration have an obligation to work together before the Iraqi 
refugee crisis further destabilizes the region.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which 
will provide much needed relief for Iraqi refugees and IDP's. I call on 
the leadership of the House to support this bill.

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