[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TEXAS HAS HISTORICALLY LED NATION IN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

  (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to take a stand against 
Governor Abbott of Texas and his decision to end our refugee 
resettlement in my home State of Texas. This decision is going to 
welcome xenophobia and bigotry and is contrary to the values that we 
hold dear in Texas.
  Texas, as some of you may or may not know, has historically led our 
Nation in refugee resettlement. Our State has always opened its doors 
to people in need and welcomed refugees with open arms to provide an 
opportunity for refugees to contribute to the general common good of 
all Texans.
  Texas has now become the first State--I say that with shame--to bar 
resettlement of those fleeing violence and religious persecution. This 
isn't what we stand for in Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the Governor to look at Tarrant County, which is 
the county that I live in, and the decision that they made to continue 
taking refugees.
  As of today, the courts have stayed this heinous order. This decision 
still sets a dangerous precedent.
  I urge him to reverse his decision and show the rest of the Nation 
that Texas stands for inclusion, and let these churches--evangelical 
churches, liberal churches, Black churches, White churches--work 
together on these refugee programs. Let's let them continue to work 
together for the greater good of the country.

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