[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E43-E44]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             APPRECIATING MRS. JACKIE AUTRY'S REFUGEE STAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2023

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a great American for 
her inspiring clarion call to support refugees. Jackie Autry, the widow 
of the crooning cowboy singer and

[[Page E44]]

film actor Gene Autry, placed an advertisement in Tuesday's New York 
Times, warning that denying entry to refugees at the Southern Border 
will give the United States ``another black eye.'' She compared the 
errors being made today to the slaughter of Native Americans, the 
enslavement of Africans, and the denial of entry to the M.S. St. Louis 
with more than 900 Jewish refugees during World War II. ``The current 
tragedy at the Southern Border will rank up there with these three,'' 
she wrote. Gene Autry gave up a career in Hollywood and international 
stardom to fight for our country in World War II, Mrs. Autry noted, and 
he would be offended at the treatment of refugees ``turned . . . away 
in the freezing temperatures of Christmas Eve.'' She added: ``We can't 
find workers in this country, but Congress will keep refugees out who 
want to work.'' She called on all who can ``to protect those who need 
protection and do what is right.'' I could not say it better and am 
proud to amplify her thoughtful and courageous statement. Thank you, 
Mrs. Autry.

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