[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CR EXTENSION

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, this is, indeed, a sober day of 
reflection on the events of 9/11. Twelve years ago today, I was on the 
floor of the House when we got word of the first attacks.
  It unleashed a series of horrific events, but those events continue 
to this day. There is another tragedy that is occurring in Iraq and 
Afghanistan--the thousands of Iraqi and Afghan nationals whose lives 
are at risk because they helped Americans as guides, drivers, and 
interpreters.
  That is why we developed a special immigrant visa program--to help 
these people trapped in the country against those with long memories 
who seek revenge. But this program is seriously broken.
  There are thousands of men and women on this waiting list, some who 
have died while they wait to have the paperwork processed. The State 
Department won't even tell us how many are on the waiting list. It is 
seriously broken. Congress can't fix it. But at least we can put in the 
CR an extension so that the program doesn't expire at the end of the 
month and their lives lost.

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