[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12234]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           WORLD REFUGEE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2006

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of World Refugee Day.
  As chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I stand 
with my colleagues to articulate the importance of providing aid to 
refugees.
  Today we call attention to the plight of refugees, celebrating their 
courage and resilience, and renewing our commitment to solving refugee 
problems.
  Established in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly, World 
Refugee Day is celebrated every June 20th. Previously commemorated as 
African Refugee Day, many countries and regions have held their own 
Refugee Days to help acknowledge the U.N.'s formal recognition of 
refugees in 1951. June 20th marks a day of global solidarity in an 
international effort to help refugees.
  From Africa to Asia, the plight of refugees is not owned by one 
people or one country. Stemming from cultural, political and economic 
events, there are over 8.4 million refugees worldwide. Often uprooted 
from their homes and seeking safe haven in other countries, refugees 
find themselves in dire situations in need of aid and relief.
  Founded as a nation of immigrants, we must recognize that many of our 
Nation's citizens are descendants of refugees or refugees themselves. 
From the potato famine in Ireland to the war in Vietnam, the U.S. has 
an established relationship of helping our global neighbors find 
refuge. While we debate comprehensive immigration reform, we must 
remember the contributions of refugees and be sure to include 
provisions to aid those displaced by situations they have no control 
over.
  Additionally, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has brought the 
issue of refugees to our own backyard. Many of those hard hit by 
Katrina were displaced from their homes, unsure of what to do. Lacking 
relief efforts and aid, our own citizens experienced the consequences 
of a situation they had no control over. Let us look to Katrina as an 
example of the course of action we must take in order for us to prevent 
situations where those in need are left in despair.
  As a Nation, we must protect the basic human rights of refugees and 
ensure that they will not be returned involuntarily to a country where 
they face persecution. In addition to protecting human rights, we must 
do all that we can to provide foreign aid and assistance to nations 
that help refugees. Providing shelter, food, water and medical care in 
the immediate aftermath of any refugee exodus must be a priority.
  Furthermore, as chair of the Congressional Ethiopia and Ethiopian 
American Caucus, I had the privilege of visiting Ethiopia and 
interacting with refugees. I saw first hand the cultural, political, 
and economic causes of their suffering. Now, more than ever, I believe 
that the U.S. should be the leader in the international effort to 
combat displacement.
  Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support World Refugee Day and ensuring 
that refugees across the globe receive the aid that they deserve. I 
urge my colleagues to join me to address this important issue.

                          ____________________