[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SYRIAN IMMIGRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2016

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to interact with some of the 
brightest students in the 22nd Congressional District who serve on my 
Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I have gained much by listening 
to the high school students who are the future of this great nation. 
They provide important insight from across the political spectrum that 
sheds a light on the concerns of our younger constituents. Giving voice 
to their priorities will hopefully instill a better sense of the 
importance of being an active participant in the political process. 
Many of the students have written short essays on a variety of topics 
and I am pleased to share them with my House colleagues.
  Cameron Lavine attends George Ranch High School in Richmond, Texas. 
The essay topic is: Select an important event that has occurred in the 
past year and explain how that event has changed/shaped our country.

       Throughout history, the United States has been a beacon of 
     hope for immigrants around the world. Beginning in the early 
     1700's, when the first of the Scots-Irish immigrants came to 
     America, we have generally been extremely welcoming to 
     foreigners, even if we did not necessarily want them. The 
     Scots-Irish, more specifically the Paxton Boys, caused many 
     problems for Americans and Native Americans, yet, despite the 
     danger they presented to society, the Scots-Irish were still 
     allowed to enter the United States. Then, in the mid-1800's, 
     there was a wave of Irish immigrants because of the famine 
     and there was a wave of Chinese immigrants into America. 
     Although Chinese immigration was later on restricted, people 
     were still allowed to enter this country. There are many 
     other groups of people who have been able to seek refuge in 
     the United States as well, and the latest asylum seekers are 
     the Syrians who have been displaced by the poverty and 
     violence that resulted from a civil war. However, instead of 
     opening our arms and providing assistance to those in need as 
     we have done in the past, many people want to close off the 
     United States.
       The number of Syrian refugees has increased severely over 
     the past year, creating a large burden on European and Middle 
     Eastern nations such as Greece, Germany, and Turkey. Many of 
     these countries are calling upon the United States to take 
     action since they are the current hegemonic power. However, a 
     majority of American politicians believe that we should 
     ignore that call. This humanitarian crisis has turned into an 
     ethical dilemma: Should the United States accept the Syrian 
     refugees who are trying to escape poverty and violence 
     despite the potential dangers, or should we close our doors 
     in order to protect national security? This event has really 
     sent the traditional belief that the United States is safe 
     haven for anyone trying to escape persecution, violence, and 
     poverty into a tailspin. For the first time, the U.S. is 
     considering turning its back on those in need, a direct 
     contrast to past events where America was a willing safe-
     haven for those seeking asylum.

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