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Indochina Refugees - Interagency Task Force (2)
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19077061
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Indochina Refugees - Interagency Task Force (2)
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Theodore C. Marrs Files (Ford Administration)
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Vietnam (Republic)
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The original documents are located in Box 10, folder "Indochina Refugees - Interagency
Task Force (2)" of the Theodore C. Marrs Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 10 of the Theodore C. Marrs Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
June 18, 1975
LIBRACY GERALD R. FORD
MEMORANDUM FOR
JULIA TAFT, ACTING DIRECTOR OF INTERAGENCY
TASK FORCE ON VIETNAM
I would appreciate your consideration of this potential
resource.
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Enclosure
WITHDRAWAL SHEET (PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES)
FORM OF
CORRESPONDENTS OR TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
DOCUMENT
Letter
Gordon King, President of Educational Systems Corp., to Theodore
5/14/1975
C
Marrs, 1 page (attached to memo from Theodore Marrs to Julia Taft,
6/18/1975)
File Location:
Theodorre C. Marrs Files, Box 10, Folder: "Indochina Refugees - Interagency Task Force (2)" SMD - - 7/27/2015
RESTRICTION CODES
(A) Closed by applicable Executive order governing access to national security information.
(B) Closed by statute or by the agency which originated the document.
(C) Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in the donor's deed of gift.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
NA FORM 1429 (1-98)
Dr. Theodore Marrs
14 May 1975
Page 2
I might say in closing that should I personally be able to
assist the President's efforts in any capacity, please call
and I will make whatever time is required available.
Sincerely,
Gordon GK:cs Gordon King Key
FORD i LIBRARY
Enclosure: as stated
Dr. Theodore Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20500
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
A STRATEGY FOR THE INTEGRATION OF INDOCHINESE REFUGEES
INTO AMERICAN SOCIETY
Mr. Gordon King, President
Educational Systems Corporation
1302 18th Street, N. W., Suite 603
Washington, D. C. 20036
(202) 293-9160
A Strategy for the Integration of Indochinese Refugees
into American Society
It might well have been predicted that the final bitter episode
in America's involvement in Indochina would be an acrimonious
debate as to the wisdom of permitting Cambodian and Vietnamese
refugees to resettle in this country. The precipitous decline
of the South Vietnamese and Cambodian regimes allowed little
time for the Federal government or the American public to con-
sider the problem, discuss its merits, develop a consensus or
create the mechanisms necessary to facilitate the acceptance and
successful incorporation of the refugees. As with discussions
of whether United States forces ought to have been committed in
Southeast Asia, the question of whether these people ought to
be here is best left to be argued at social functions or analyzed
in historical dissertations. Our concern is more pragmatic, for
they are here.
We believe that the Indochinese refugees offer this country both
a challenge and an opportunity. At a time when the scars cf
dissension over Vietnam have not fully healed and when fears of
economic uncertainty continue to grow with families across the
country, it is not difficult to comprehend why many Americans
view with resentment the allocation of additional resources to
the refugees. Indeed, it is conceivable that within some
communities, the issue of further aid could spark reversed and
potentially destructive social controversy. With adequate
planning, however, we believe that the incidence of such reac-
tions will be quite minor.
Yet, the Indochinese immigrants present to us more than a prob-
lem, more than a moral burden. They bring to America their good
will, their rich cultures and an abundance of energy, skill and
talent which will contribute to the vitality and quality of our
nation. They also offer to us something perhaps less tangible,
but critically important nevertheless. That "something" is the
opportunity, during these difficult days of cynicism and mis-
trust, to renew and actualize our commitment to the American
ideal, to rededicate ourselves as a nation, to remain a sanc-
tuary of hope, opportunity and freedom as we approach the Bi-
centennial. There could be no finer issue around which to
unite.
1
Assimilation into American Society
The process of assimilation, of adaptation and integration into
one mainstream of American life, is an exceedingly complex
phenomenon. Although we pride ourselves on being a melting-pot,
observers of the American scene have increasingly commented on
our ability to retain aspects of our heritage as a nation of
immigrants. This uniquely American knack for fashioning a co-
herent national identity, while preserving ethnicity, is a tre-
mendous source of strength, support and creativity for us as
individuals and as a people: a resource which has its roots
within the American community.
We believe that any successful effort to facilitate the inte-
gration of an immigrant group into the social fabric of America
must focus on the community level. It is here that friendships
are made and resources develop. It is here that children are
educated, businesses started, homes moved into, religion prac-
ticed and cultures shared. It is at the local level that public
opinion is formed, that social problems emerge. It is within
towns and neighborhoods across the country, that the assimilation
process will proceed.
The quality of this process within a particular locality will
be determined by the resources and flexibility of both the refugee
sub-group and the host community. Among the factors to be con-
sidered in analyzing the "goodness-of-fit" between the community
and the immigrant are:
1. numerical influx - the number of immigrants arriving in a
community within a finite period of time; community size and
social-class makeup;
2. ethnic and racial composition - the degree to which similar
ethnic or racial groups are represented in the community;
the overall pattern of ethnic diversity within the locality;
3. education and vocational skills - the facility of the immi-
grant group with the English language, the typology of mar-
ketable skills and overall ability to become self-sustaining
within a reasonable period of time;
4. cultural differentiation - the degree to which the immigrant
culture exhibits variances from community norms;
2
5. institutional sensitivity - the capability of institutions
within the community to respond to immigrant needs (e.g.,
providing English instruction, etc.);
6. institutional load - utilization patterns of community
institutions and resources;
7. labor market conditions - employment, unemployment and under-
employment characteristics;
8. community typology - congruence of community life with the
patterns of the community formerly inhabited by the immigrant
group (i.e., rural or urban; type of transportation, etc.) ;
and
9. housing conditions - purchase, rental of living units as a
key emotional issue needing very special handling.
Before presenting a strategy for assisting in the assimilation of
the refugees, we would like to briefly highlight some additional
factors which, we believe, will substantially affect this process
and which should therefore be considered in any Federal planning
in this area:
1. Many refugees are relatives of American citizens, and so
came to the country with a pre-existing social and economic
support network within the community.
2. Many refugees have worked with Americans in Southeast Asia
and are familiar with our language, customs and values; it
further appears that a substantial segment of the immigrant
group are professionals, technicians, scholars or entre-
preneurs.
3. The United States has a long-standing tradition of openness
to political refugees; the immigrants come to our shores with
a positive attitude towards this country and share our demo-
cratic values.
4. Americans have always displayed a compassion to help those
in need, especially women, children and old people (who
make up a large segment of the group).
5. White American attitudes towards Orientals have shown a
substantial decrease in prejudice in recent years.
3
On the negative side, we note:
1. Fear of immigrants as additional competition in a tightening
job market.
2. A general human tendency to react with anxiety and suspicion
towards any group of strangers who may "suddenly" appear;
local resentment at having been selected, by outsiders, as
a host community.
3. A tight housing market, with current economic conditions and
high interest rates making the issue of where people will
live a key point of potential friction.
4. The possibility that individuals' anger or confusion or
bitterness about the outcome or conduct of U. S. involvement
in Southeast Asia will be directed toward the refugees.
A Community Approach to Refugee Assimilation
In designing our strategy, we were guided by general considera-
tions. Based on our belief that intra-community dynamics will
be critical, we believe that every effort should be made to
responsibly facilitate the transmission of refugees from the
relocation camps into the community. Obviously, this should not
be done precipitously, without regard for the well-being of both
the immigrant and the community. Yet we believe it is important
to avoid creating a two-step assimilation process in which refu-
gees have to adjust first to life in the camp, only to have to
face another, more difficult adaptation when they later have to
confront the realities of life in an American community. Further,
from the point of view of the public, 1,400 immigrants in one's
neighborhood may seem far more real and less threatening than
14,000 hidden in a fenced-in tent city, at an old army base fif-
teen miles outside of town.
We also believe that procedures must be developed to individualize
the refugees. There is no single, typical immigrant. There are
many who are today all but ready to join their relatives to be-
gin to carve out a place for themselves in American life.
Other refugees require far more assistance and support in order
to make the difficult transition in their new country. A success-
ful program must ensure that it does not frustrate the person
ready to assume independence within the community, while not
denying help to those who must proceed at a slower pace.
4
Of particular concern will be how housing locally is identified
and secured. Real estate brokers will not be particularly
interested in "community" attitudes; they will want to move
houses. We strongly recommend that the housing issue not be
left out of the impact planning problem, for this could form
insurmountable local problems.
Finally, we would suggest that Federal communications and media
efforts on this issue also be aimed at the process of integration
within the community, rather than a highlighting of large-scale
problems affecting tens of thousands of refugees, or on life in
the camps.
Our overall approach to the issue of Federal support for refugee
resettlement recognizes the community as the context in which
assimilation occurs. We believe that the Federal initiative
will be most efficacious and gain the greatest public support if
it is directed toward bolstering those local institutions which
function to promote the acceptance and integration of the refu-
gees into the community. Our aim would be to encourage the
endorsement of the resettlement plan by local leaders and insti-
tutions - governmental, political, educational, religious, labor,
civic, social service, and professional - and to technically and
financially assist these institutions in this process. Local
groups would be encouraged to sponsor and facilitate the incor-
poration of a limited number of refugees, to assist and "run
interference" for them within the community structure. In this
way the arriving Indochinese would have immediately available,
at the local level, a network of advocates and, we would expect,
friends who would work to create an atmosphere of public encourage-
ment and to promote the local mobilization of resources on behalf
of the new community members.
We would suggest a five-step approach to the resettlement of
the refugees, which directs Federal resources towards:
1. in-camp preparation for resettlement;
2. community preparation for the refugees;
3. housing identification;
4. support during period of initial involvement in community
life (up to one year); and
5. follow-up support and evaluation.
1. In-Camp Preparation
The process of socialization and assimilation should begin
within the refugee camps. While there are some refugees
whose experience and training permits a rapid incorporation
5
into the community, many will be experiencing the extreme
shock of confronting and having to live within the context
of a new and strange cultural and technological milieu. We
expect that many immigrants, separated from their homeland
with bewildering suddenness, more sure of what they are
running from than what they are fleeing to, and facing an
unknown country and an uncertain future, will experience a
profound mixture of feelings including confusion, fear,
guilt, remorse and apathy. The refugee who waits with her
family in a tent in a Florida resettlement camp, who worries
about the fate of friends and relatives left behind, who is
stirred by memories of a home village she will probably never
see again, who ponders a new life which she can hardly yet
comprehend, needs more than food, shelter and medical care.
Within the camps, an ongoing process of education and coun-
seling must be initiated, to assist the refugees in coping
with the transition process and to help prepare them for
community life. These programs must be conducted in con-
junction with a research and assessment effort which would
function to identify the talents, skills, needs and problems
of each of the refugees and their families. In this way,
help could be provided to guide individuals toward commu-
nities which will be most appropriate and receptive to them.
2.
Community Preparation
Community preparation would initially focus on public educa-
tion and on financially and technically gearing up local
resources - schools, social service agencies, employment
settings - to meet this new demand. Successful community
preparation and planning would require a close working
relationship between local leaders and Federal officials
administering the program. An important thrust of this stage
would be to identify and develop local groups and individuals,
who would agree to sponsor a particular number of new arrivals
and thus begin to take over the function of assisting the
refugees.
3. Housing Identification
This will be a key area of community integration and one
which can be overlooked as being insignificant. A "real estate"
approach to the problem can greatly offend communities that
are not involved in the process. We imagine the first steps
6
will be to look at available Federal housing possibilities.
This should be done in cooperation with individuals who are
sensitive to the overall dynamics of what is taking place.
A push ahead to take housing wherever it exists would be
a serious mistake.
4. Initial Support Within the Community
Federal support is vital during the initial period of commu-
nity involvement. Refugees cannot simply be dumped into the
laps of the locality. Financial and technical support to
local institutions must be provided, and in communities where
particular programs or services are generally lacking or
inadequate, they must be developed. Consultation by adult
education specialists and experienced family service workers,
the provision of training materials, and Federal assistance
in job training and development as well as guidance in mounting
local programs to encourage interaction and cross-cultural
exploration within the community would be part of this effort.
The Federal effort would also assist local educational and
public institutions to raise on the local level the theme of
immigration as a vital part of the American tradition, and
to make visible our continued existence as a nation which
yearly successfully incorporates several hundred thousand
new citizens.
5. Follow-Up
Although we would expect that major responsibility for
assisting former refugees would have shifted to the state
and local level within two years, some requirement for on-
going Federal aid may be anticipated, especially in services
for children or the elderly. We would also strongly endorse
a policy of program follow-up and evaluation which would
enable Congress, the Executive Branch, local officials and
the public to examine and reflect on the strengths and weak-
nesses of this effort.
Conclusion
We have "roughed out" above a general outline of a strategy for
Federal support for the assimilation of refugees, which stresses
the importance of local community participation and sponsorship.
7
Programmatic details and directions must be forged in coop-
eration with the localities affected.
It is our hope that the resettlement of Indochinese refugees
within our communities can serve as a beginning as well as an
end. It will be well to put behind us the angers and dissension
of the last decade; we have all grown weary of the bitterness
and strife. We believe that this Federal effort can offer
effective and humane assistance to the refugees and the host
communities and provide a visible model of what is best in
American life and tradition, as well as reflect positively on
the Administration.
8
June 27, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR
FORD & GERALO LIBRARY
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON REFUGEES
(ATTN: ACTING DIRECTOR)
We have been advised that a sponsor would be available
for Nguyen Ahn Cuong -- a former military interpreter
if he is among the SEA refugees.
It will be appreciated if you can confirm his status
so that a sponsorship application can be made.
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Enclosure
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
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July 2, 1975
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
MEMORANDUM FOR
MS. JULIA TAFT, INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON VIETNAM
Julia -
We have been advised that a sponsor would be available
for Nguyen Ahn Cuong -- a former military interpreter
if he is among the SEA refugees.
It will be appreciated if you can confirm his status
so that a sponsorship application can be made.
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Enclosure
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Ahn
Nguyen And Cuong
former military
INTERPRETER.
Home IN
SAigoN.
Flew Missions w/
USAF OUT of
Pleikufor Wn W.
Nicholson
Dr. Theodore
C. marrs
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
He
ON REFUGEES
June 18, 1975
Dear
I apologize for this impersonal way of communicating; but if I
am to convey certain thoughts to all Committee members before our
June 25 meeting, I must resort to the copy machine.
As you well know, the Refugee Program, especially the Interagency
Task Force, has come under criticism from the Senatorial Subcommittee
on Refugees. I have disagreed publicly with this criticism, largely
on the basis that I believe the Task Froce has done a fine job in the
face of unprecedented imponderables.
However, I am in agreement with the Subcommittee report insofar
as it recommends that our Presidential Advisory Committee should
immediately launch a public information program. Since we are not in
the nuts-and-bolts business, it seems obvious that this publicity effort
can be identified as our most immediate task. We have a lot of
horsepower on this Committee, and I believe that collectively we can
exert a great deal of constructive influence in this regard.
Before we can launch a publicity effort, of course, we must first
of all be sure of our product. That product is the question of
sponsorship: what is required of an individual or group that agrees
to sponsor a Vietnamese or Cambodian family?
Writing as one of the seventeen members of the Committee, I am
inclined to believe that the current sponsorship requirements are a bit
stringent on a family-to-family basis, given the current state of the
Economy and the possible lack of a sense of urgency among the public.
Therefore, I propose that the first two substantive items on our
agenda for the June 25 meeting be (1) an examination of the current
sponsorship requirements, considering a possible split-off of family
as opposed to group responsibilities and (2) having decided on the first,
how to augment the efforts of the Task Force in promoting public
understanding of the sponsorship program - where to go and how much is
expected of everyone.
Based on the experience of June 3, this next meeting, scheduled
for 10:00 a.m. on June 25, can go on through the afternoon - or the
next morning, if necessary.
Sincerely,
John S. D. Eisenhower
Chairman
JSDE/ajh
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
ntill
JUL 3 - 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
151
Opeill
FORD LIGRARY
SUBJECT:
Letter to Governors on Indochina
Refugee Resettlement
Attached is a letter to all Governors prepared for your
signature by the Interagency Task Force for Indochina
Refugees.
The letter gives information about the refugee resettle-
ment program and asks the States to develop their own
resettlement programs with Federal assistance. The
model for such a program is the one launched by Governor
Dan Evans in Washington State. The Federal Regional
Councils will help the Task Force to follow up with the
Governors and will aid the States in the establishment
of their own resettlement programs.
The States offer a potential source for a large number
of new sponsors which are badly needed to supplement those
being generated by the voluntary agencies.
A Presidential letter to all the Governors will be a big
help in encouraging States to participate in the program.
I recommend that you sign it.
Attachment
cc:
Official file - DO Records
Director
Directors Chron
Mr. Oaxaca
Deputy Director
Mr. Puritano
Mr. Falk
Mr. Barri
Mr. Marrs
Mr. Blaydon
Mr. Eisenhower
MD Chron
Mr. Semerad
Mr. Cannon
MD/HCA:CCBlaydon:mas7-3-75
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington
Dear Governor
As you know, on May 24, 1975, I signed into law the
Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975
to assist in the resettlement of Vietnamese and Cambodian
refugees who are seeking new homes in the United States.
Since then, I have established an Interagency Task Force
on Refugees to coordinate the resettlement program and
to assure that it is accomplished as humanely and expedi-
tiously as possible. In addition, I have appointed a
Presidential Advisory Committee to assist in this effort.
I am pleased to report that as of June 30th, more than
41,000 of the 130,258 evacuees have joined their families
or sponsors in the United States and are beginning to
contribute to their new communities. These refugees have
been accorded parole status, making them eligible to remain
in the United States indefinitely and to accept employment.
All refugees, except those few deemed "self-sufficient",
will be assigned sponsors to assist in the resettlement
process. Sponsors may be individuals, families, service
organizations, churches or other groups. Commitment as a
2
sponsor, while not a legal one, involves a clear moral
obligation to help the refugee to the best of the sponsor's
ability.
Many individuals and voluntary agencies are participating
in the resettlement program by locating sponsors and
facilitating the movement of refugees from the four recep-
tion centers to their new homes. These voluntary efforts
have been exemplary, but we should not expect that they
alone will accomplish this great humanitarian task as
quickly as we would all wish.
I am encouraged that a number of States and local govern-
ments are developing programs to assist in expediting the
resettlement of the refugees into their new communities.
You have received information from the Advisory Committee
about one of these programs which Governor Dan Evans
launched in Washington State. This successful effort has
led to placement of more than 500 refugees with sponsors
throughout the State.
The Interagency Task Force is now prepared to contract with
other States which choose to develop their own resettlement
3
programs. Funds are available to support State efforts
through reimbursement of $500 for each refugee placed.
In addition, 100 percent federal reimbursement is avail-
able to all States for Medicaid, financial assistance,
and social services provided to refugees. Administrative
costs related to the provision of such services will also
be reimbursed. Financial support to help defray emergency
costs incurred by school districts, should they enroll large
numbers of refugee children, will also be available. These
programs are further described in materials being transmitted
to your State agencies through existing channels.
I have asked the Federal Regional Councils to assist the
Task Force by aiding State and local governments in the
development of programs which they wish to undertake. You
may expect to hear from a representative of the Federal
Regional Council in the near future.
Whether or not you choose to lead a resettlement effort in
your State, your leadership in assuring State agency and
private organization support of sponsoring families and
individuals will provide invaluable assistance to this
effort.
4
The responses of thousands of individuals and the untiring
efforts of voluntary agencies have demonstrated again the
generosity of Americans toward others seeking to find homes
in our country. I hope you will consider ways in which
your State may participate in this effort.
Sincerely,
July 3, 1975
FORD is LIBRARY 076830
MEMORANDUM FOR
MS. JULIA TAFT, INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON VIETNAM
If there is any possibility of Task Force action on this
matter, please advise Senator Curtis and send me a copy.
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Enclosure
June 24, 1975
Honorable Carl T. Curtis
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Curtis:
Your letter and the letter from Mr. Floyd A. Cropper, Mayor of
Lyons, Nebraska, concerning financial assistance for a Vietnamese
refugee dentist to practice in Lyons was referred to me by
Mr. Theodore C. Marrs, Special Assistant to the President.
At the present time, the Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare is still in the process of identifying and assessing the
educational preparation of the refugee dentists, but 1t is safe
to say that all of the dentists coming to this country will require
extensive educational preparation in a school in this country. In
this respect requirements for licensure of dentists in the United
States is more strict than the requirements for licensure of
physicians who are graduates of foreign professional schools. The
licensing procedure is quite different and the City of Lyons may
be undertaking quite a lengthy support program and the true nature
of the city's committment should be explored carefully.
At the present time there is no fund, per se, designed exclusively
for the support of refugee professionals. Of course, if the refugee
dentist is admitted to a dental school in this country, there are
several support programs within the Federal Government that would
be available to him and information concerning these programs and
counseling service would be available in the dental school where the
individual is enrolled.
I sincerely hope that this information is helpful to you in responding
to the Mayor.
Sincerely yours,
Edward D. Martin, M.D.
Director
National Health Service Corps
BCHS/NHSC: HILTON/ns/6/24/75
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 18, 1975
Gd
Dear Senator Curtis:
This is to advise that I have forwarded the inquiry
from Mayor Floyd A. Cropper of Lyons, Nebraska, to
Dr. Edward Martin of the Health Services Administra-
tion of the Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare (Telephone: (202) 443-4434) , and to Julia
Taft of the Interagency Task Force.
The problems that small towns such as Lyons face in
attempting to attract competent medical and dental
practitioners are great. The tragic relocation of
the Vietnam and Cambodian refugees may offer some
help with this problem.
Sincerely,
W Ment
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Honorable Carl T. Curtis
United States Senate
Washington, b. C. 20510
CARL T. CURTIS
COMMITTEES:
NEBRASKA
AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
FINANCE
JOINT COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL REVER
TAXATION
United States Senate
SELECT COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AA
CONDUCT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20310
CHAIRMAN OF REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE
May 27, 1975
Dr. Theodore Marrs
Special Assistant
to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Dr. Marrs:
Enclosed is a copy of a letter which I have
received from Mayor Floyd A. Cropper of Lyons, Nebraska,
expressing the interest of his community in obtaining
a Vietnamese refugee dentist.
I would appreciate your channeling this letter
to the proper sources, and letting me know what action has
been taken in this regard.
Thanking you, I am
Carl Curtis Sincerely
CARL T. CURTIS, USS
CTC:mf
Enc.
Lyons Industrial Development Corp.
LYONS, NEBRASKA 68038
May 20, 1975
Senator Carl Curtis
Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C.
Dear Carl:
Our community has been searching for a dentist the
past three years and our committee wonders if there
are any dentists among the many refugees coming in
from Southeast ASIA.
We notice that President Ford has appointed a special
committee to advise on the future of the refugees
and I am asking if you would send this letter or get
in touch with the committee concerning our interest
in sponsoring a dentist for Lyons. The chairman is
John Eisenhower.
Present rules require that a dentist or medical doctor
must attend school for a certain length of time and
also pass examinations. Our community would need
financial assistance from some refugee fund in order
to keep 2 dentist in school for say, two years and
then sponsor he and his family until his work in the
community is well established. We need 2 dentist
badly ánd will do most anything to get one.
Can your office help us in some way? Thanks, Carl.
Very truly yours,
Teoya a Cropper
Floyd A. Cropper, Lyons Mayor '64-'70
Presnt Pres. Lyons Ind. Dev. Corp.
B32
July 3, 1975
FORD LIBRARY & 9ERVID
MEMORANDUM FOR
MS. JULIA TAFT, INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON VIETNAM
Mr. Nguyen Van Van was offered sponsorship by the American
Bible Society through IRC during final week of May.
Is there a security or other hinderance? When can he
expect resettlement?
We have received an inquiry from Warner A. Hutchinson
of the American Bible Society.
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
file
July 14, 1975
The Honorable Julia Taft
Executive Office of the President
FORD LIBRARY j GERALD
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mrs. Taft:
I am writing to you in my capacity as Senior Warden of King's
Chapel in Boston to call your attention to a serious problem in
information relating to sponsorship of Vietnamese families in the
Boston area. As a former Special Consultant to the President, I am
aware of the need for feedbacks in measures which seem clear from
the White House and therefore feel that I should call the attention
of the Executive Office to our problem, because I believe it to be
widespread in New England.
Our Vestry has decided in principle to sponsor a Vietnamese
family if this could be done without contracting a commitment of
indefinite duration. We were assured by a senior officer of the HEW
New England Regional Office, who had been spending several weeks
processing Vietnamese refugees at one of the camps (and is a member
of the Church), that sponsorship involved a moral commitment (con-
cerning housing, school information, job seeking and general
hospitality) but not a legally enforceable financial responsibility
inasmuch as the adopted family would be eligible for welfare at cur-
rent state levels and for Medicaid (reimbursable by the Federal
government).
The Committee I appointed to follow up in this action (the
Chairman, a pediatrician, is a U.S. Army Medical Corps Reserve
Colonel who served terms of duty in Vietnam and has just returned
from inspecting the camp at Indiantown Gap; an unusually capable lady,
former WAVE officer, who is Chairman of our Committee on Charities
and Appeals, is in touch with other churches and non-profit organiza-
tions; our senior HEW "expert", and a member with special interest
in and knowledge of Vietnamese problems) has now been informed --
or developed the impression, general in the Boston area, that
sponsorship involves full financial responsibility for at least five years
- 2 -
(the waiting period for citizenship), together with responsibility for
medical expenditures. I am assured by Dr. Theodore C. Marrs that
they are mistaken. I suspected as much but wanted to call to the
attention of the Administration the fact that an unusually qualified
committee seemed unable to acquire the necessary information.
I hope that you will therefore treat my request for a clear
expression of the policy rules in this point not as an isolated case
(though I will, of course, be very grateful for your information),
but as an indication of the need for a wide diffusion of up to date
information.
With best regards and thanks.
Sincerely,
Jean Mayer
Senior Warden
King's Chapel, Boston
Professor Jean Mayer
Master of Dudley House
Harvard University
53 Dunster Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
CC: Dr. Marrs
Dr. Theodore C. Marrs
The White House
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
file
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
The President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
July 14, 1975
FORD LIBRARY is GERALD
end
Dear Mr. President:
RL
Thank you for your interest in the program
established to resettle refugees from Indochina.
In accordance with your request for informa-
tion, we have enclosed material relative to your
areas of interest.
We appreciate your concern and your support.
Sincerely,
Julia Vadala Laft
Julia Vadala Taft
Director
Enclosure:
As stated
FROM THE INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INLOCHINA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S.A.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
In coordination with:
THE SOCIAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE
June 1975
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ON THE
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR VIETNAMESE AND CAMBODIAN REFUGEES*
Q. Is medical assistance available for Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees?
A. In the case of Indochinese refugees with little or no income or resources,
medical assistance can be made available through the State or local public
welfare agency.
Q. Is this the same as Medicaid?
A. No. The financial eligibility requirements --- in terms of need, income levels,
and resources -- and the medical services provided are similar to the Medicaid
program. However, in the case of the refugees, the Federal Government will
reimburse the State 100 percent for such medical assistance. In the regular
Medicaid program, the State is required to cover a portion of the costs.
Generally, only persons with sufficiently low incomes and resources who are
over age 65, blind, disabled, or members of families with children deprived of
parental support are eligible for the regular Medicaid program. However, Indo-
chinese refugees seeking medical assistance are not required to be members of
these groups; this is to assure that needy refugees do not become a burden on
State or local funds for health services.
Q. Where can a refugee apply for medical assistance?
A. At the nearest office of the State or local public welfare agency.
Q. What kind of medical services are provided?
A. The medical assistance programs vary from State to State. However, all of the
medical assistance programs include: Inpatient hospital services; outpatient
hospital services; laboratory and x-ray services; skilled nursing home services;
early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment for persons under age 21;
family planning; physicians' services; and home health services. In addition,
where other services might be required -- and where such services would be
available to destitute U.S. citizens through public facilities such as county
hospitals -- the State agency may authorize such services to be provided under
*Policies relating to medical assistance for the refugees were transmitted to the
States as part of Action Transmittal SRS-AT-75-27, June 9, 1975, issued by the
Social and Rehabilitation Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
the medical assistance program for refugees. The State or local welfare
office can advise on the extent of coverage and the limitations or restrictions
which may exist.
Q. Can the refugee medical assistance program pay for services incurred before
the refugee applied or before he was accepted?
A. Yes, medical services which were provided up to three months prior to the
date the refugee or his sponsor applied for medical assistance can be covered,
provided the refugee would have been eligible at the time the service was
provided.
Q. When should a sponsor have a refugee apply for medical assistance?
A. Sponsors are expected to cover minor, routine medical expenses as part of the
sponsorship. In instances where major medical problems occur, or where the
cost is beyond the means of the refugee or the sponsor, medical assistance
should be sought from the State or local welfare agency.
Q. What are the day-to-day mechanics of securing medical assistance?
A. Applicants who are found eligible are given medical assistance eligibility
cards. As with major credit cards, they are presented in payment for services
by medical care providers, who then bill the State. If an eligible refugee
or sponsor pays cash to a provider or incurs expenses with a nonparticipating
provider, there is no way to reimburse him.
Q. Would a refugee have to qualify for welfare cash assistance in order to
qualify for medical assistance?
No. In order to be as helpful as possible to sponsors -- who may not be able
to meet a major medical cost but who can continue to assist the refugee by
providing shelter and food and by helping the refugee to become self-supporting-
the medical assistance program for refugees specifically provides that a
refugee may apply for medical assistance even though welfare cash assistance
is not being received.
Q. What if a refugee needs medical assistance but is found ineligible because
his available income or resources exceed State eligibility levels?
A. In most (but not all) States, medical assistance is provided to those with
incomes and resources which have been reduced to the State eligibility levels
by incurred medical bills. This method of establishing eligibility is called
the "spend-down." Sponsors should specifically inquire about the "spend-down"
if medical assistance is denied because of excess income or resources.
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S.A.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
STA-501
U.S.MAIL
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
The President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
July 21, 1975
GETARO FORD LIBRARY
Ms. Julia Taft, Chairperson
Inter-Agency Task Force
1875 Connecticut, N.W.
Universal North Building
Washington, D.C.
Dear Ms. Taft:
This letter is sent to the Task Force on Indo-Chineese Refugee Resettle-
ment to inform you of the activities of certain voluntary agencies in Houston,
Texas, as the result of contact with Mrs. Gaetana Enders of the President's
Advisory Committee on Refugee Resettlement. In this letter we will 1. Identify
the events surrounding Mrs. Enders' visit to Houston, 2. Inform you of her con-
tact with our agencies, 3. Report our understanding of her contact with us,
4. Report our concerns and outline the problems attending her request, 5. Re-
spond to her request with a proposal, and 6. Request your response to and
action on our letter to you.
1. Mrs. Enders' Visit to Houston:
On Wednesday, July 9, 1975 Mrs. Gaetana Enders of the President's Advi-
sory Committee for Refugee Resettlement contacted the Rev. Mr. David Lintner,
Houston Coordinator for Vietnameese Resettlement on behalf of Lutheran Social
Services of Texas. Mrs. Enders told Mr. Lintner that she had a plan to re-
settle all of the Cambodian refugees from Pendleton in the Houston, en masse.
Mr. Lintner asked to meet with Mrs. Enders and asked to bring a representative
of Catholic Community Services to the meeting. Mrs. Enders agreed and asked
Mr. Lintner to invite representative of the American Red Cross and Travelers'
Aid as well.
During the time prior to the scheduled meeting, Mrs. Enders was establish-
ing contact with business leaders and representatives of the media. According
to Mrs. Enders she solicited support for a project and was able to make some
committments from several businessmen and the media to be involved in her idea
for resettlement.
2. Mrs. Enders' Meeting with our Agencies:
Representatives of the following agencies met with Mrs. Enders at 7:30 p.m.:
Ms. Georgeann Bassman, the American Red Cross; Mr. Kevin Doyle, Catholic Community
Services; Ms. Kay Haas, Travelers' Aid; the Rev. Messrs. David Lintner and Lindell
Letter to the Task Force
Page 2
Smith, Houston and State Coordinators, respectively, for Lutheran Immigration
and Refugee Service through Lutheran Social Services of Texas. By coincidence,
Mr. Louie Welch, President of the Houston Chamber of Commerce and past mayor
of the City of Houston, joined the meeting.
During the meeting Mrs. Enders told us she felt Houston would be an ideal
city in which to resettle a special group of approximately 1,500 Cambodian
refugees from Pendleton. Mrs. Enders told us that these refugees were mostly
former employees and their families of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia. Mrs.
Enders said that she was only interested in this specialized group for Houston,
and that if the project worked it might serve as an example to other cities in
the United States.
Following this meeting the representatives of Red Cross, CCS, Travelers'
Aid and LSST met briefly to discuss the meeting and to compare impressions.
It was agreed that the representatives should meet again and share their per-
ceptions. Mr. Lintner agreed to serve as convener.
A meeting was convened on July 15th at the Red Cross. Those attending the
meeting were: Mss. Bassman, Overbeck, and Will, American Red Cross; Mss. Bhupal,
Haas, and McCay, Travelers' Aid; Mr. Kevin Doyle, Catholic Community Services;
Ms. Knight, Houston Chamber of Commerce; the Rev. Messrs. Lintner and Smith,
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Mrs. Judy Stauffer, appointed by
Mrs. Enders to perform some ambiguous tasks in Houston, was asked to join the
meeting at 2:30 p.m. Five specific tasks were outlined to be accomplished in
the meeting: 1. To share individual perceptions of Mrs. Enders' "proposal,"
2. To arrive at a common understanding and agreement as to what Mrs. Enders
was suggesting to us as our task in relation to her "proposal," 3. To ask our-
selves if it were possible to effect Mrs. Enders' "proposal," 4. To define
what each agency might contribute to a jointly coordinated project, and
5. To discuss how a cooperative effort might be initiated. In addition, the
agencies were confronted with the problem of how to engage Mrs. Stauffer in a
meaningful way in a projected cooperative effort. This problem resulted from
Mrs. Stauffer's prior contacts with each agency in which she alienated her-
self and agency representatives by suggesting that she was commissioned
directly by Mrs. Enders and through failing to listen to agency representat-
ives' attempts to inform her of the ambiguity of the situation. Mrs. Stauffer
had been given the impression by Mrs. Enders that everyone had agreed to
cooperate with her. It appeared that Mrs. Stauffer was unwilling to listen
to the agency representatives. The situation became potentially sensitive
when it was learned that Mrs. Stauffer had direct access to the media: she
had been given an office at KPRC TV from which to run her "Program."
3. Common Understanding of Mrs. Enders' Proposal Among Agencies:
A. Mrs. Enders wishes to resettle approximately 1,500 Cambodian refugees,
en masse, in Houston.
B. This group represents former employees of the U.S. Embassy and their
families, to the exclusion of other Cambodian and Vitenameese refugees.
Letter to the Task Force
Page 3
C. No tasks were assigned to our agencies, no committment was directly
solicited.
D. Mrs. Enders assumed our agencies would undertake her idea.
E. Although Mrs. Enders has deep concern and compassion for the plight
of refugees she presented no coherent plan of action.
F. Mrs. Enders indicated that her idea had the direct approval of "the
White House."
G. Mrs. Enders indicated that she could "open any door" for us.
4. Our Concerns:
Our agencies have a number of concerns about Mrs. Enders' activities in
the City of Houston:
A. Although Mrs. Enders has indicated to the President's Advisory Com-
mittee that the Houston agencies have agreed to work her proposal,
they, in fact, have not.
B. However well intentioned, Mrs. Enders has initiated activities using
the name of the White House among business, private and media sectors
of the Houston community without coordination and without consultation.
C. As a result of Mrs. Enders' television, radio, and newspaper inter-
views there is public frustration and confusion.
D. The City of Houston has not agreed to participate in the effort at
this time.
E. The Governor's office for the State of Texas has not been consulted
by Mrs. Enders.
F. Any program for mass resettlement in Houston must have endorsement of
local agencies' national organizations.
G. There exists no inter-agency process to effect a mass resettlement plan.
H. We do not feel our agencies can be involved in a special interest group
of refugees to the exclusion of other refugee groups.
I. Any attempt to resettle large numbers of refugees cannot be superficially
handled but must be well planned and thought through.
5. Our Response:
Although the agencies feel they cannot agree to work on a project to re-
settle a specific interest group of refugees as suggested by Mrs. Enders, they
might well work together in a cooperative effort to resettle an increasing as
well as yet-to-be-determined number of refugees on the scale suggested by
Mrs. Enders.
Letter to the Task Force
Page 4
However, such a project must have the endorsement of the national organi-
zations under which the concerned local agencies operate and such a project
should be initiated at the invitation of the Task Force.
The agencies would agree to undertake such a project under the following
conditions:
A. The local agencies would be responsible for and in charge of the
process to be followed, as well as the management of the process.
Such a process will be outlined later.
B. Local, state and national levels of government should be informed
of the project and their participation solicited in specific areas.
C. The local project would be responsible to the Task Force only, with
the exception of the local agencies' national judicatories.
D. Medicaid cards or some written guarantee from the appropriate govern-
mental department should be secured for the refugees.
E. All public relations activities should be cleared by the local coordi-
nating committee or its designated spokesperson.
F. The President's Advisory Committee and the Task Force should have a
common understanding of the channels of communication and the initiation
of activity regarding any local coordinated activity.
G. Adequate time must be given to the local agencies to initiate the coordi-
nation of their efforts without pressure from top level governmental
sources.
H. Most importantly, the national organizations of local agencies must be
consulted before any plan of action is initiated.
The process for initiating a large scale resettlement program through the
cooperative efforts of local agencies would include three component phases:
A. Phase I: Planning. Local agencies would convene to develop a purpose
for cooperation and to develop the concept of cooperation and resettlement.
A coordinating group would be established to clarify what questions need to be
asked, what additional agencies need to be involved and what plan of action
would be needed.
A concept would be developed to divide the City of Houston into logical
units, within which clusters of congregations and civic organizations would be
identified. These cluster units would provide sponsorships on a group level.
Individual offers for sponsorships would be referred to the appropriate cluster.
Letters to the Task Force
Page 5
B. Phase II: Recruitment/clustering/referral After the planning stage
has been accomplished local clusters would be recruited. Information concern-
ing the program, job referrals, housing possibilities etc. would be initiated
at this time.
C. Phase III: Initiation of Resettlement. Refugees would be brought to
and placed in the care of cluster units. At all times the central coordinating
committee would be receiving feedback from cluster units as to the status of
the program.
In summary, the process would involve an initial planning stage, in which
a time schedule would be established as well as evaluative procedures; a
recruitment stage, in which the planning would be realized in the Houston commu-
nity in terms of the establishment of the resettlement structure; and the
initiation and feedback stage, when the actual resettlement would be effected.
Crucial to the development of a program of cooperation would be the
development of continuous evaluation and feedback procedures.
6. Request for your Response:
On Friday, July 18, 1975 a conference call among the local agencies was
held with the purpose of agreeing on the final draft of this letter. Included
in the call were representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Community
Services, Lutheran Social Services, and Travelers' Aid. In addition, the
Chamber of Commerce participated in the call in an advisory capacity.
The four volunteer agencies welcome and await your invitation to us to
engage in a cooperative effort to resettle refugees in Houston, Texas.
We request that you respond by letter, directed to David Lintner, Lutheran
Social Services of Texas, Southeast Texas Office, 161 West Road, Houston, Texas
77037, by Monday, July 28, 1975.
We request that you inform us of your impressions of our proposal, that
you inform us of what support and resources we might expect from the Task
Force in the event that we are invited to engage in a cooperative effort.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
For the Volunteer Agencies in Houston.
David F. Lintner
(Lutheran Social Services of Texas)
Convener pro tempore
Copies to:
Dr. Theodore Mars
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Roger D. Semerod, Executive Director
Presidential Advisory Committee on Refugees
New Executive Building
Room 4013
Washington, D.C. 20503
John McDonald
Department of Public Service
Division of Disaster and Emergency Services
P. 0. Box 4087
Austin, Texas 78773
Worthington Linnen
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Lutheran Council in the U.S.A.
315 Park Avenue South
New York, New York 10010
Enso V. Bighinatti
Director of Disaster Services
American National Red Cross
18th and D Streets, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
William M. Taylor
Travelers' Aid International Social Service of America
345 E. 46th Street
New York, New York 10036
John McCarthy
U. S. Catholic Conference
1312 Mass. Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Dr. Jan Papanek
American Fund for Czechoslovk Refugees
1709 Broadway
N.Y., N.Y. 10019
John Shauer
Church World Service
Immigration and Refugee Program
475 Riverside Drive
N.Y., N.Y. 10027
Ganor Jacbson
United HIAS Service, Inc.
200 Park Ave. South
N.Y., N.Y. 10003
Copies continued
Charles Sternberg
International Rescue Committee
386 Park Avenue South
N.Y., N.Y. 10016
Willis Klein
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
American Council for Nationalities Service
20 W. 40th St.
N.Y., N.Y. 10018
Hamp Coley
United Way of America
300 N. Lee
Alexandria, VA
Mrs. Tatiana Schaufuss
Tolstoy Foundation, Inc.
250 W. 57th St.
N.Y., N.Y. 10019
Ed Weaver
American Public Welfare Association
1660 L St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Chauncy Alexander
National Association of Social Workers
11425 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Theron Van Scoler
American Council of Voluntary Agencies
200 Park Ave., South
N.Y., N.Y. 1003
Walter Kulleur
Presidential Advisory Committee on Refugees
The White House
The New Executive Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Jim Delaney
same address as W. Kulleur
Travelers' Aid, Houston
Catholic Community Services, Houston
Lutheran Social Services, Houston
American Red Cross, Houston
Houston Chamber of Commerce
United Fund, Houston
+
HOUSTON
U.S.POSTAGE
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
JUL21'75
HOUSTON-HARRIS COUNTY CHAPTER
III 20
TEX
:
*************
2006 SMITH STREET
P.B. 640832
METER
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
Dr. Theodore Mars
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
RECEPTION HOUSE & SECURITY
\ Processed IIII 28 by: 1975
Du
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
C
GERALE R. FORD LIBRASTA
p
Y
July 24, 1975
Mr. Joseph R. Farrell
Bragg Towers
Alexandria, VA 22302
Dear Mr. Farrell:
Please accept my apology for the long delay in responding
to your request which was forwarded to us by Dr. Marrs.
I am very happy to tell you that the two refugees
,
you asked about are safely out of Vietnam and are settled
with sponsors in the continental United States. The
Catholic Conference arranged for their sponsorship while
both were in Camp Pendleton, California. They were re-
leased in late May.
I hope this information will be useful to you. Again,
my apologies for taking so long in responding to your re-
quest.
Sincerely,
Julia JVT/eg Vadala Taft
Director
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, U.S.A.
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
STA-501
U.S.MAIL
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
Dr. Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
September 5, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MRS. JULIA TAFT
FROM:
TED MARRS
FORO d LIBRARY 078470
Would you please arrange to see Dick
McCormack, discuss his views and let
us know the results of your discussion.
He will call you.
September 5, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: DICK MCCORMACK
FROM:
TED MARRS
I reviewed the interesting thoughts in
your note to Don Rumsf&ld in regard
to refugees. There has been action in
most of the areas you referenced and
Mrs. Julia Taft, Chairman of the
President's Task Force on Refugees
is fully conscious of the specific
problems.
I do, however, think the solution of
those problems could be furthered if
you two discussed them. Julia's phone
number is 254-3040. She has been sent
copies of our correspondence.
CC: Julia Taft
September 1, 1975
Dear Mr. McCormack:
Mr. Rumsfeld has asked me to thank you for
your memorandum of August 20th regarding
the Vietnam Refugee Settlement Program.
I have forwarded your correspondence to the
appropriate persons, and can assure you that
it will receive serious consideration.
Best wishes,
Sincerely,
Richard B. Chensy
Deputy Assistant to the President
Mr. Dick McCormack
American Enterprise Institute
1150 17th Street, NW.
Washington, D.C. 20036
bec: Ted Marrs with incoming for appropriate handling.
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
ДЕЙ
FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH
1150 SEVENTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
TELEPHONE 202: 296-5616
DR HAS SEEN
MEMORANDUM
T/T
TO: Donald Rumsfeld
DATE: August 20, 1975
FM: Dick McCormack Dick
RE: The Vietnam Refugee Settlement Program
FORD i GERALD LIBRARY
I went to Vietnam myself in 1968 originally to work on refugee problems
and as a consequence I have followed rather closely the efforts the USG
has made following the collapse to resettle those who fled with us.
Although it is impossible to carry out a refugee resettlement effort,
even when only involving 120,000 people, without a certain amount of
confusion, I believe the handling of this problem requires a different
approach than we have thus far been following.
Although about half of the 120,000 refugees have moved out of the camps
and into sponsors' homes, there has been virtually no official effort
made to organize employment for any significant percentage of these people.
They are a heavy and increasing financial burden on sponsors' families,
and unless extraordinary measures are taken, sufficient jobs for the ref-
ugees will not be forthcoming in the present tight job market.
I have several recommendations:
1. That you appoint a senior industralist or financier with a national
reputation to head up the job hunt program for the refugees. Governor
Scranton would be a good choice.
2. That instead of scattering the individual refugees like sand through-
out the entire nation, efforts be made to relocate them in small groups
and clusters so that organized help can be arranged to deal with common
problems such as employment and linquistic difficulties, and so the Viet-
namese can have some social contact with each other.
3. That industries in communities which accept groups of Vietnamese be
provided with government and defense contracts to ease the local job sit-
uation.
The Vietnamese are a highly resourceful people, and if some organized ef-
fort is made in Washington to deal with the job situation, these people
will quickly blend into the American scene. But it must be run by some-
one who can deal effectively at the upper levels of American business.
September 22, 1975
FORD di LIBRARY GERALD
MEMORANDUM FOR
MS. JULIA TAFT, DIRECTOR, INTERAGENCY
TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA REFUGEES
Julia:
I need a follow-up regarding the attached. The
Chinatown group should be able to help significantly.
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Enclosure
TCM:pft
**********
VIETNAM CHINESE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION
Tel. (212)226-3295
131 Mott St. New York, N.Y. 10013
Cable Address:
969-9428
U.S.A.
Robert Chen N.Y.
July 28 1975
Dr. Theodre C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington D.C.
Dear Dr. Marrs:
Thank you for your letter of July 18. We are most
appreciative of your concern in our Association and of your
generous offer in helping us.
At the present, there are 3,500 Chinese-Vietnamese
refugees in New York and it is our duty to help them with
employment as well as housing problems. However, most of
them have difficulty with English and have requested for a
English training class. Cur Association has thought of this
long before and have seeked help from numerous places, without
result. I hope that the Federal Government can see the
necessity and the urgency of the training class. It is our
sincere wish that we can work something out for the benefit
of the refugees.
Sincerely,
CANESE SENEVO LENT
Robert Chen
$ WIET
Asiocia
President
August 5, 1975
Dear Ms. Taft:
The attached is self-explanatory.
Can Health, Education, and Welfare
help?
Sincerely,
Theodore c. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Ms. Julia Taft
Director
Interagency Task Force on Resettlement
of Indochina Refugees
a/o State Department -- SA-12
Washington, D.C. 20520
Enclosure: Robert Chen ltr. of July 28, 1975
August 6, 1975
Dear Mr. Chen:
I have asked the Director of the
Presidential Task Force on Refugees
to evaluate the points in your July 28
letter and to determine what can be
done.
My best personal wishes to you and my
respectful regards to the Association
for its noble efforts.
Sincerely,
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Mr. Robert Chen
President
Vietnam Chinese Benevolent Association
131 Mott Street
New York, New York 10013
September 27, 1975
BERALD R FORD LIBRARY
MEMORANDUM FOR
MS. JULIA TAFT, DIRECTOR, INTERAGENCY
TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA REFUGEES
Julia:
At the right time and for all the right people I
would like to help with Presidential recognition.
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
TCM:pft
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 2, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. THEODORE MARRS
FROM:
MAJOR BARRETT Rib
The attached correspondence is self-explanatory. I would appreciate
your advice as to whether it is proper to forward Presidential letters
to these three persons.
I know Miss Anne Horney from my days at the Army War College. She
is the Information Officer at Fort Indiantown Gap, and I feel that this
request is valid.
If you agree that letters should be sent, my office will prepare them
for signature.
Thank you.
DRAFT
COL Ervin V. Johnson, Commander
Headquarters, US Army Garrison
Fort Indiantown Gap
Annville, Pennsylvania 17003
Dear Colonel Johnson:
It is with a great deal of pride that I express the
sincere appreciation of the nation to members of the
Officers' Wives' Club of Fort Indiantown Gap for their
assistance to the Indochinese refugees. These people, who
have lost a most treasured possession, identity with their
homeland, are in need of all of the love and understanding
possible to enable them to become a part of our great nation.
I am especially grateful for the numerous hours which
have been devoted by the ladies in establishing and operating
the clothing and library centers. The enthusiasm of the club
has generated the interest of others from the surrounding
communities in donating their time to this worthy cause.
As these refugees become integral parts of our
communities, it is my hope that their neighbors will greet
them with the same spirit of kindness demonstrated by the
Officers' Wives Club of Fort Indiantown Gap.
Sincerely,
DRAFT
Mrs. Robert J. Casto
c/o US Army Garrison
Fort Indiantown Gap
Annville, Pennsylvania 17003
Dear Mrs. Casto:
This is to express the gratitude of the nation to you
for the many hours which you have devoted to the Indochinese
refugees at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Your interest in the welfare of the refugees is an
example of your deep concern for their needs as they resettle
in our country. The many families you have worked with in
the clothing center will, through you, always remember that
in the United States there is kindness and understanding.
My sincere appreciation to you.
Sincerely,
DRAFT
Mrs. Norman H. Wampler
c/o US Army Garrison
Fort Indiantown Gap
Annville, Pennsylvania 17003
Dear Mrs. Wampler:
On behalf of the nation, I wish to express appreciation
to you for your assistance to the Vietnamese refugees at
Fort Indiantown Gap. Your devotion of many hours of your
time to establish and operate the clothing center is
commendable.
I am grateful for your recognition of the importance of
assisting in this important program, which through your
efforts and the efforts of others in their volunteer work,
will enable us to create a stronger nation by welcoming
these people with open arms.
Your kindness, love and understanding to many, who will
soon become members of our communities, is heartening to note.
My sincere thanks.
Sincerely,
HQ.
USAG
18 August 1975
INFORMATION OFFICE
FROM: Anne H. Horney Once H.
TO: SMSgt Abel Araiza - Drafts of three
letters which we discussed are attached. Ladies
of the Fort Indiantown Gap Officers' Wives Club,
particularly Mrs. Wampler and Mrs. Casto, have
spent many hours doing volunteer work with the
refugees, in sorting and distributing thousands
of pounds of donated clothing. Others are in
the education phase of the program. A library
center has been set up and each day the women
go to the library and assist refugees in
reading, pronunciation, definition and famil-
iarizing them with American customs.
If it is possible to have letters for Colonel
Johnson, Mrs. Wampler and Mrs. Casto from the
President, I would appreciate if they would be
sent to my office. The one for Colonel Johnson
would be incorporated in a program which we are
planning in conjunction with an International
Women's Year observance.
Mrs. Wampler's husband is a lieutenant colonel,
our Deputy Commander; Mrs. Casto's husband is
a major, in charge of the Plans and Operations
Division of the Industrial Operations Office.
Both LTC Wampler and MAJ Casto will shortly be
leaving the Army and if letters to their ladies
are approved, they would be presented during
farewell ceremonies.
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
ДЕЙ
FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH
1150 SEVENTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
TELEPHONE 202: 296-5616
personal/confidential
GREATS R. FORD
Mr. Theodore Marrs
The White House
Washington, D.C.
September 29, 1975
Dear Ted;
Although a nasty case of flu prevented me from doing as much as I had
hoped, I did have a long conversation with Julia Taft and in the past
few days have contacted a considerable number of people involved in
the program at various levels.
In order to ensure her cooperation, I promised Julia that I would
confine my reports to her and her people.
There is , however, one matter which requires your attention. Because
of the almost total emphasis on the part of the Task Force on getting
the refugees out of the camps, there will be an enormous amount of
follow up necessary after the Task Force goes out of existence on
December 31. This follow up will entail the analysis of general problems
as well as a vast amount of case work on the problems of individual
refugees.
To resolve these matters honorably and well will require the recruitment
of an extremely able and dedicated man to spend full time coordinating
the follow up at HEW. It will also require considerable budgetary
resources and continued White House support. A very selective approach
should be adopted in transferring people from the Task Force to the
HEW follow-up operation.
Sincerely
Vick
Richard McCormack
P.S. Because of the abundant press criticism, Julia may be feeling
a little defensive. A laudatory note from the President or from
you would, I think, make her more receptive to subsequent tactical
and operational suggestions from you and OMB.
October 1, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: JACK MARSH
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
FROM:
TED MARRS
The attached memo from Julia Taft explains
the reason for the proposed letter from the
President to Bob Sikes.
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20520
September 24, 1975
MEMORANDUM TO:
Mr. Theodore Marrs,
The White House
FROM:
state
Julia Vadala Taft, Director,
Interagency Task Force
SUBJECT:
Thank You Letter to Congressman
Sikes
Attached is a draft Presidential Letter to
Congressman Bob Sikes of Florida expressing appre-
ciation for the fine support he gave during the
time that Eglin Air Force Base served as one of
the four reception centers for Indochinese refugees
in the United States. As you may recall, at the
outset Sikes was adamantly opposed to the program
but reversed his public stance when he saw how
much money it was funneling into his district and
how responsive his constituents were to the refu-
gees.
I would appreciate your review and final
preparation for the President's signature if you
deem it appropriate.
Attachment:
As stated.
SUGGESTED LETTER
Dear Bob:
During the past five months, I have watched
closely the progress and operations of the Eglin
Indochina Refugee Reception Center. I have been
extremely impressed not only with the dedicated
efforts of the thousands of military, civilian
and voluntary agency personnel at the center, but
also with the warm and generous outpouring of
assistance to the refugees offered by you and your
constituents.
Now that Eglin has closed, after having
processed 10,000 refugees, I want to take this
opportunity to thank you for your fine support of
this major humanitarian initiative.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford
Honorable Bob Sikes,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D. C. 20515
Interagency Task Force for Indochina Refugees
August 6, 1975
Dear Mr. Chen:
I have asked the Director of the
Presidential Task Force on Refugees
to evaluate the points in your July 28
letter and to determine what can be
done.
My best personal wishes to you and my
respectful regards to the Association
for its noble efforts.
Sincerely,
Theodore C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Mr. Robert Chen
President
Vietnam Chinese Benevolent Association
131 Mott Street
New York, New York 10013
August 5, 1975
Dear Ms. Taft:
The attached is self-explanatory.
Can Health, Education, and Welfare
help?
Sincerely,
Theodore c. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
Ms. Julia Taft
Director
Interagency Task Force on Resettlement
of Indochina Refugees
c/o State Department --- SA-12
Washington, D.C. 20520
Enclosure: Robert Chen ltr. of July 28, 1975
Fale
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
October 6, 1975
GERALD FORD
MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. THEODORE MARRS
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
I believe the attached letter from Mr. Robert
Chen of the Vietnamese Chinese Benevolent Association
which you forwarded to us has already been sent
directly to Julia. I requested the HEW Task Force to
respond to Mr. Chen and will ask them to forward their
response to you for your records.
Savid
David A. Ford
Special Assistant to
the Director
Attachments:
As stated.
**********
VIETNAM CHINESE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION
Tel. (212) 226-3295
131 Mott St. New York, N.Y. 10013
Cable Address:
969-9428
U.S. A.
Robert Chen N.Y.
July 28 1975
Dr. Theodre C. Marrs
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington D.C.
Dear Dr. Marrs:
Thank you for your letter of July 18. We are most
appreciative of your concern in our Association and of your
generous offer in helping us.
At the present, there are 3,500 Chinese-Vietnamese
refugees in New York and it is our duty to help them with
employment as well as housing problems. However, most of
them have difficulty with English and have requested for a
English training class. Our Association has thought of this
long before and have seeked help from numerous places, without
result. I hope that the Federal Government can see the
necessity and the urgency of the training class. It is our
sincere wish that we can work something out for the benefit
of the refugees.
Sincerely,
Rebert VIET DONINESE M HN BENEVO N LENT. ASSIGNATE
Robert Chen
$
President
NEW
NOIL
YORK
U.S.A.
2821 in Wy State
F.V.I Ted MARRS
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH
mtmo
Fill
1150 SEVENTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON. D.C 20036
TELEPHONE 202 296-5616
FORD
&
GERALD
LIBRARY
Oct. 12, 1975
Julia Taft
Task Force on Indochina
Universal North Building
1875 Connecticut Ave.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Julia;
I enjoyed very much talking with you. Unfortunately, a few hours after
our conversation I became very ill and spent most of the next week
in bed with the flu. Consequently my contribution to your effort has been
considerably less than I had anticipated making.
I did however spend several days contacting people around the country
and relayed the results of these conversations to Jerry Duane. He tells
me that most of the problems have been addressed.
With the help of James Robinson of OMB I went through the various legal
programs relating to affirmative action which might have useful application
to the Vietnamese. We found virtually nothing that showed promise of
facilitating the rapid employment of the Vietnamese refugees in any of
the civil rights legislation. In fact, even the increased hiring of
blacks in various government agencies was done under the aegis of the
merit system. What happened was that the President simply passed the word
to agencies which he felt had not hired sufficient blacks to start
doing something about it. But it was all done rather informally.
This is what will have to be done with regard to the Vietnamese, sort of
an informal quota or preference system.
On the broader problem of getting Vietnamese hired by the private sector,
your best bet is to contact Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and the JCs at the
national level and get articles written in their publications dealing
with the unfortunate plight of the refugees and their need for sponsors
and jobs. This may well have already occurred to you and your staff.
As you probably know, I have also done what I could to facilitate the
showing of the excellent film on closing the gap and its sequel. My
understanding is that Ted Marrs has a committment from the President of
PBS to show both programs. I also understand from Sven Kraemer that
other fund raising prospects appear very promising. But I do plan to
keep an eye on this.
On the specific exemptions we discussed to facilitate hiring of the
Vietnamese by the Pentagon either in the armed services or in
sensitive contracting work, we got a very cool response-- even
after some very high level contacts. I'm therefore not very
optomistic about the viability of that course of action.
The permanent resident status for Vietnamese to enable them to be hired
by the Government appears to me to be the most urgent and feasable of
the courses of action now open to us. The White House Congressional
Liaison Office should be asked to facilitate the progress of the
Scott bill. Specifically, you should request them to speed up hearings
in the Judician Committee of the Senate, and to drum up some House
sponsors to get simultaneous action on the other side of the Capitol.
Let me know if there are some specific other things you would like done.
But given the limited time I have available at this point, having lost
that entire week, I'm probably going to be less useful to you than your
regular employees.
Very Dick best wishes;
Richard McCormack
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
DEF
FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH
1150 SEVENTEENTH STREET, NW, WASHINGIO'
TELEPHONE 202: 296-5616
102
MAS
WA
U.S.PUSTAGE
OCT17'75
≡ 10 :
D.C
Dr. Theodore Marrs
The White House
Washington, D.C.
THE WHITE HOUSE
CTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
ate: December 17, 1975
Time:
FOR ACTION:
CC (for information):
Bill Baroody
Brent Scowcroft
FORD i GERALD LIBRARY
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Thursday, December 18
Time:
2 P.M.
SUBJECT:
Appreciation Letters regarding handling of
Indochina Refugees and to Julia Taft and to
Secretary Rumsfeld.
ACTION REQUESTED:
X
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Concur
Juman
Celegine
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
"WIB has seen
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
K. R. COLE, JR.
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
E WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Julia:
As you and your colleagues on the Interagency Task
Force for Indochina complete your important work,
I want to commend you for your outstanding perfor-
mance in bringing the resettlement of more than
128, 000 Indochinese refugees to a successful
conclusion.
That difficult and challenging undertaking reflected
the American spirit of charity in its finest sense.
The success of that effort required the dedication,
skill, and cooperation of many men and women of
goodwill in both public and private life, to whom our
Nation owes its appreciation. Your superb leadership
was vital in this extraordinary effort, and I want to
extend my own personal and deeply felt thanks to you
for a job for which you can take great personal and
professional satisfaction.
Please express my gratitude as well to those associated
with the Interagency Task Force and the private volun-
tary organizations who contributed so importantly to the
resettlement. I would appreciate it if you would also
accord special recognition to those individuals who served
with distinction.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julia Vadala Taft
Director
Interagency Task Force for Indochina
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
E WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Secretary:
As you know, more than 128, 000 Indochinese
refugees have now been resettled. The extra-
ordinary contributions of United States military
personnel were essential to the success of that
difficult and challenging undertaking, and I would
like to extend my appreciation through you to them
for those contributions.
I also would like you to assure that outstanding
service by individual military personnel in the
evacuation and resettlement of the refugees be
recognized by appropriate awards available to
the Secretary of Defense and military departments.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
Washington, D. C.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 23, 1975
FORD is GRANTO LIBRARY
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CONNOR
Bobbi
FROM:
BOBBIE GREENE KILBERG
SUBJECT:
Presidential Recognition for Personnel from
Indochina Refugee Interagency Task Force
Attached you will find a memorandum from Julia Taft to the President
dated November 11 in which she seeks Presidential recognition for
personnel who have assisted the Indochinese refugee resettlement
program. This memorandum seems to have bounced from pillar to
post within the White House, and Julia sent me a copy last week and
asked whether I could assist her in getting it moving again. After
a number of discussions, she has agreed to alter her recommendations
to read as follows:
1. Presidential certificates of appreciation and Presidential
letters to be given to approximately 30 individuals, including:
-- Top policy and program personnel at Task Force
Headquarters;
-- Those senior Agency representatives to the Interagency
Task Force who were instrumental in coordinating their
respective agencies' participation;
-- Senior Civilian Coordinators and Senior Military
Commanders at the reception centers.
2. Presidential letters to about 200 individuals who served
on or with the Task Force with distinction for at least 120
days, including:
-2-
-- Interagency Staff Members of the Task Force in the
reception centers and at Headquarters;
-- Heads of voluntary agencies and key Volag personnel
at the reception centers.
3. Military Humanitarian Ribbon for all servicemen who
served 30 days or more.
-- I have talked to Alan Woods about this and am sending him a
copy of Julia's November 11 memorandum. He will discuss
the possibility of a ribbon with her.
The revised recommendations are strongly supported by Ted Marrs,
Paul O'Neill and Barry Roth. The Refugee Task Force undertook and
accomplished an almost impossible job for the Ford Administration,
and I believe its workers deserve the highest possible recognition.
Ted, Paul and I would be happy to discuss this further with you.
cc: Ted Marrs
Paul O'Neill
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
File
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
November 11, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Julia Vadala Taft, Director,
Interagency Task Force for
Indochina Refugees
SUBJECT:
Presidential Recognition for
Personnel Who Have Assisted the
Refugee Resettlement Program
As you know, more than 128,000 Indochinese refugees
have now been resettled, and we are hopeful that we can
complete the mission for which the Task Force was
established in the near future.
I have been profoundly impressed with the dedica-
tion and fine performance of the members of the Task
Force. Not only are they some of the most capable
people the Federal agencies could provide, but they
have been among the hardest working and least applauded
employees in the United States Government. We expect
the final contingent of staff members to return to
their parent agencies in January. Since this operation
could not have succeeded without the combined talents
of everyone associated with the program, I believe we
ought to make appropriate expressions of our gratitude
to all of them. I furthermore believe that some form
of Presidential recognition would be appropriate since
the Task Force was created at your initiative.
The thousands of military, civilian, and voluntary
personnel involved in the program have fulfilled a
multitude of roles and levels of responsibility. For
this reason, I would recommend a graduated awards
system along the following lines:
1.
Presidential Citation and Letter:
This award could be given to about 30 people
including:
- 2 -
--
Top policy and program personnel at Task
Force Headquarters;
-- Those senior Agency representatives to
the Interagency Task Force who were
instrumental in coordinating their
respective agencies' participation;
-- Senior Civilian Coordinators and Senior
Military Commanders at the reception
centers.
2.
Certificate of Commendation Signed by the
President in Recognition of Outstanding Service:
This award could be given to about 200 people
who served with distinction for at least 120
days including:
-- Interagency Staff Members of the Task
Force in the reception centers and at
Headquarters;
-- Heads of voluntary agencies and key
Volag personnel at the reception centers.
3.
Military Humanitarian Ribbon for All Servicemen
Who Served 30 Days or More
I will forward a separate recommendation to you
on this proposal for recognition.
In addition to the above, an Interagency Task Force
"Certificate of Appreciation" will be given to each
person detailed from his or her parent agency who assisted
the refugee program for at least 30 days. The certificate
will be co-signed by the Director and by the Secretary of
the appropriate Department.
In cases of superior individual service, I have
asked the appropriate Cabinet official or Agency head
to recognize the person through the awards system of the
individual's parent agency.
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Dates
January 22, 1976
Time:
FOR ACTION:
CC (for information):
James Lynn
Bill Baroody
Bob Orben
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Friday, January 23
Time:
3 P.M.
SUBJECT:
Memorandum from Julia Vadala Taft to
James E. Connor -- Letters of Appreciation
from the President to key Federal personnel
who contributed to successful completion of
refugee resettlement program.
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
X For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
It is hoped that this will be the last time that this subject
is staffed to you for comments - We did think you should
see the final proposal.
Concur
Merry
by phmL
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
James E. Connor
For the President
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE FOR INDOCHINA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
JAN 2 1 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE JAMES CONNOR
Thank you for arranging Presidential letters of apprecia-
tion for key Federal personnel who contributed in a
major way to the successful completion of the refugee
resettlement program.
Enclosed are three suggested draft letters with
appropriate recipients. These letters cover key personnel
(1) who managed activities at various reception centers;
(2) who worked with me at Task Force Headquarters; (3)
who were principal mobilizers of personnel and resources
within their respective agencies in support of the
program objectives.
While the listings may appear to be extensive, it is
important to point out that over 20,000 Federal employees
including military were involved in the program. It is
indeed a tribute to the numerous Departments and agencies
that they were willing and able to respond so cooperatively
and effectively in this massive effort. It dramatically
demonstrates what is possible when Presidential leadership
and priority is focused on a national objective. It might
be a nice gesture for the President to mention his
appreciation at the next Cabinet Meeting for the
responsiveness and cooperative spirit in which the Federal
agencies carried out the assigned tasks.
Thanks so much for your help. If there are any questions,
I can be reached in HEW at 245-6461.
Julia Jailia Vadala Taft
Director, Interagency Task Force
for Indochina Refugees
Enclosures
ETTER NUMBER 1
CAMP OPERATIONS)
LIBRARY
FORD
&
QERALD
PRESIDENTIAL LETTER OF APPRECIATION--LETTER NUMBER ] (Camp Operations)
Dear
:
I wish you to know of my personal appreciation for the
important contribution you have made to the Indochinese refugee
resettlement program.
As a result of your efforts more than 130,000 people who
had to flee their homelands in Southeast Asia have been helped
to make a new beginning in America. The success of that
humanitarian effort required the dedication, skill, and
cooperation of thousands of men and women of goodwill in both
public and private life.
Your role in assisting in this highly successful
resettlement program at one of the Refugee Reception Centers
merits special recognition and the gratitude of those who
managed the program, of the refugees who were helped by it,
and the American people in whose name you helped fulfill our
responsibility as a Nation.
Please accept my personal thanks for your outstanding
and dedicated service in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford
LETTER NUMBER 1 -- (CAMP OPERATIONS)
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
NOTE: Following list of AID personnel will have the same address as
provided below:
Agency for International Development
320 21st Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20523
Ms. Anne W. Henshaw
Mr. Paul A. Daly
Mr. Ira T. Carr
Mr. Richard M. Thacher
Mr. Walter Coles, Jr.
Mr. Christopher D. Crowley
Mrs. Evelyn M. Rancher
Mr. Robert D. Judy
Mr. Morris M. McDaniel
Mr. Melvin R. Chatman
Mr. J. D. Hampton
Mr. Richard E. Flaspohler
Mr. Thomas C. Irvin
Mr. William E. Paupe
Mr. Edmund McWilliams
Mr. Jack Faircloth
Mr. Joseph E. Gettier
Mr. Peter S. Flynn
Mr. Averill L. Christian
Mrs. Audrey M. Goodenough
Mr. James A. Schill
Mr. Joseph W. Jacobs
Mr. William B. Erdahl
Mr. William A. Mashburn
Mr. Henry B. Cushing
Mr. Robert B. Metcalf
Mr. Marion L. Kellogg
Mr. Willie C. Saulters
Mr. Lester J. Gottlieb
Miss Margaret M. P. Tierney
Mr. C. Harvey Doughty
Mr. Robert M. Traister
Mr. William C. Luken
Mr. Robert M. Lanigan
LETTER NUMBER 1 - (CAMP OPERATIONS)
PAGE 2
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Mr. Donald E. Witteaker
Assistant Regional Director for Financial Management
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
1200 Main Tower Building
Dallas, Texas 75202
Mr. Stuart H. Clarke
Regional Director
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
1200 Main Tower Building
Dallas, Texas 75202
Mr. Ralph Rogers
Supervisory Social Service Program Specialist
Office of the Regional Commissioner, Social and
Rehabilitation Service
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
1200 Main Tower Building
Dallas, Texas 75202
Mr. Frank Derville
Assistant Regional Director
Accounting and Reporting Branch
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
1200 Main Tower Building
Dallas, Texas 75202
Mr. Dan Sprague
Deputy Regional Director
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Federal Office Building
50 Fulton Street
San Francisco, California 94102
Mr. Tom Ortiz
Regional Consultant for Disease Control
Public Health Service
Federal Building, Room 11037
1961 Stout Street
Denver, Colorado 80202
Mr. Richard Telling
Public Affairs Officer
Office of the Regional Commissioner
Social Security Administration
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
50 Seventh Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30323
LETTER NUMBER 1 - (CAMP OPERATIONS)
PAGE 3
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (Cont.)
Mr. Robert Johnson
Director, Office of Manpower
Room 2534
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
400 6th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C. 20201
Mr. Michael A. De Martino
Computer Systems Analyst
Room 2L24, Operations Building
Social Security Administration
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
Mr. Joseph Martini
Program Evaluation Specialist
Office of the Regional Commissioner
Social Security Administration
Room 8370
P.O. Box 13716
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Miss Clare Wyeth
Clinical Nurse
CDC Processing
Building 116
Fort Indiantown Gap
Andrew, Pennsylvania 17003
Mr. John Stevenson
Assistant District Manager
Social Security Administration
170 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Mr. Charles F. Cain
Deputy Regional Director
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Peachtree 7th Building
50 Seventh Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30323
LETTER NUMBER 1 - (CAMP OPERATIONS)
PAGE 4
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Lieutenant Colonel Domenick Muffi, USMCR (Ret)
2265 Lone Oak Lane
Vista, California 92085
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur P. Brill, USMC
Company B Marine Corps Base
Camp S. D. Butler
FPO Seattle, Washington, 98773
Colonel George A. Merrill, USMC
Headquarters Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, California 93055
Captain Jean-Jacques Gunning, MC, USN
Director of Clinical Services
U.S. Navy Regional Medical Center
Camp Pendleton, California 92055
Major James M. Grimshaw, USA
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment
1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (ABN)
Fort Bragg, North Carolina 28307
Colonel Bruno Eisen, MC, USA
Commander
Ireland Army Hospital
Fort Knox, Kentucky 40121
Lieutenant Colonel John D. Vickery, USAF
Assistant Director of Operations
96 Bomb Wing
Dyess Air Force Base, Texas 79607
Captain Elisabeth Shattner, USAF
U.S. Air Force Special Operations School
Hurlburt Air Force Base, Florida 32544
LETTER NUMBER 1 - (CAMP OPERATIONS)
PAGE 5
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Mr. George H. Goss
7 Archer Lane
Woodstock, New York 12498
Mr. Francis J. Van Damm
6805 Baron Road
McLean, Virginia 22101
Miss Phyllis A. Young
Writer-Editor
Office of Media Services (PA/MS)
Bureau of Public Affairs
Room 4831
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Gary C. Larson
Pox 10
FPO New York, New York 09527
Mr. George Warren, Jr.
Refugee and Migration Officer
Office of Humanitarian Affairs
Room 7802 NS
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
LETTER NUMBER 1 - (CAMP OPERATIONS)
PAGE 6
IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE
Mr. Brooks Hierstein
Assistant Regional Commissioner for Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
Twin Cities, Minnesota 55111
Mr. Donald C. Day
Associate Regional Commissioner
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
Federal Building
Burlington, Vermont 05401
Mr. Troy Adams
District Director
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
New Federal Building
701 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
Mr. Donald M. Cameron
Senior Border Patrol Agent
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
New Federal Building
701 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, Louisana 70113
Mr. Durward E. Powell
Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Inspections
Room 7112
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
425 I Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20536
LETTER NUMBER 1 - (CAMP OPERATIONS)
PAGE 7
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mr. William B. Cheyne
Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Office of Program and Technical Support
555 Griffin Square Building
Dallas, Texas 75202
Mr. Lloyd A. Romero
Department of Labor
Office of the Regional Director
3535 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101
U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY
Mr. John Reid
Fellow
Center for International Affairs
Harvard University
6 Divinity Avenue
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Mr. Lawrence B. Flood
Chief, Vietnamese Service
Voice of America
United States Information Agency
Washington, D. C. 20547
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Henry Smith
Housing and Management Officer
Housing Management Division
Philadelphia Regional Office
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 922, Curtis Building
6th and Walnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
LETTER NUMBER 1 - (CAMP OPERATIONS)
PAGE 8
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Ralph M. Wagoner
Personal Property Representative
General Services Administration
Federal Supply Service
Headquarters, USARGO (PROV)
APO San Francisco, California 96248
Ft. SMITH ARKANSAS LOCAL ATTORNEY
Mr. Harold Huffman
2500 North 38th Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
LETTER NUMBER 2
(INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE)
PRESIDENTIAL LETTER OF APPRECTATION - - LETTER NUMBER 2 (Interugency
Task Force)
Dear
:
I wish you to know of my personal appreciation for the
important contribution you have made to the Indochinese refugee
resettlement program.
As a result of your efforts more than 130,000 people who
had to flee their homelands in Southeast Asia have been helped
to make a new beginning in America. The success of that
humanitarian effort required the dedication, skill, and
cooperation of thousands of men and women of goodwill in both
public and private life.
Your role as a key staff member of the Interagency Task
Force for Indochinese Refugees merits special recognition for
a job well done. On behalf of the refugees you assisted and
on behalf of the American people in whose name you helped
fulfill our responsibility as a Nation, please accept my
personal thanks and gratitutde for your outstanding and
dedicated service.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford
LETTER NUMBER 2 - (IATF STAFF)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Mr. James H. Hall
Economics Course
Foreign Service Institute (SA-3)
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Dan J. Jordan
Personnel Technician
PER/CDA/FS/EA
Room 2332A
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Parker Borg
Area Studies
Foreign Service Institute (SA-3)
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. E. Avery Adams
Office of the Deputy Director of
Personnel for Management
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Walker W. Smith
Office of the Coordinator for
Humanitarian Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Andrew F. Antippas
Special Assistant
Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Jere Broh-Kahn
Chief, Lao Refugee Branch
Office of Refugee Migration Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
LETTER NUMBER 2 - (TATF STAFF)
PAGE 2
DEPARTMENT OF STATE (Cont.)
Mr. Robert F. Dorr
Refugee and Migration Officer
Office of Humanitarian Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mrs. Joanna W. Martin
Deputy Chief, Vietnam/Cambodia Branch
Office of Refugee Migration Affairs
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mrs. Judith J. Chavchavadze
Refugee Migration Officer
Office of the Coordinator
for Humanitarian Affairs (D/HA)
Room 7802
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. James D. Whitten
Program Officer for Pakistan
Bureau of Cultural and Educational
Affairs (CU/NEA)
Room 4419
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Ms. Leigh L. Morse
Foreign Service Institute (SA-3)
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Michael W. Carr
Bangkok
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
LETTER NUMBER 2 - (IATF STAFF)
PAGE 3
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
NOTE: Following list of AID personnel will have the same address as
provided below:
Agency for International Development
320 21st Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20523
Miss Dorothy M. Paquette
Mr. Peter W. Askin
Mr. Leonard Maynard
Mr. William J. Ackerman
Mr. John A. Wiess
Mr. Norman M. Rosner
Mr. Joseph S. Jenkins
Mr. Steven C. Kinsley
Mrs. Margaret T. Brasile
Mr. Steven C. Shepley
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
LETTER NUMBER 2 -- (IATF STAFF)
PAGE S
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Mr. David A. Ford
Executive Assistant to the Assistant
Secretary for Legislation
Room 5455, HEW-North Building
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Washington, D. C. 20201
Mrs. Virginia M. Banks
Office of the Under Secretary
Room 5262, HEW-North Building
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Washington, D. C. 20201
Mr. William Dickson
Director, Division of Planning and Evaluation
Room 1081, HEW-North Building
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Washington, D. C. 20201
Mr. George L. Jenkins
Director, Teleprocessing Support Branch
Room 1615, HEW-North Building
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Washington, D. C. 20201
Mr. Huly Bray
Special Projects Officer
Building 1, Room 313
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20014
Mr. Bernard E. Kelly
Regional Director
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Arcade Plaza
1321 Second Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98108
Mr. Lawrence L. McDonough
Acting Director
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 4455, HEW-North Building
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Washington, D. C. 20201
LETTER NUMBER 2 - (IATF STAFF)
PAGE 5
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (Cont.)
Miss Robin Pasquarella
Special Assistant to the Under Secretary
Room 5262, HEW-North Building
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Washington, D. C. 20201
Miss Nguyen Thi Hue
Problem Referrals Unit
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 601, SA-12
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Miss Trinh Ngoc Dung
Problem Referrals Unit
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 601, SA-12
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Miss Tran Thi Kim Dung
Problem Referrals Unit
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 601, SA-12
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mr. Dang Van De
c/o Associate Regional Commissioner
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
1114 Commerce Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
Mr. Tran Ngoc Thoi
Problem Referrals Unit
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 601, SA-12
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Miss Carolyn F. Hellman
4701 Willard Ave., Apt. 535
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20015
LETTER NUMBER 2 -- (IATF STAFF)
PAGE 6
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (Cont.)
Mrs. Jean H. Faught
Office of News and Publications
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 601, SA-12
Washington, D. C. 20520
Mrs. Anne G. Pepper
Office of News and Publications
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 601, SA-12
Washington, D. C. 20520
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Lieutenant Colonel Marvin L. McDonald, Jr., USA
Military Support Division
Operations Directorate
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans
Headquarters, Department of the Army
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20310
Colonel Robert L. Drudik, USA
Readiness Division
Operations Directorate
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans
Headquarters, Department of the Army
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20310
Lieutenant Colonel Harry T. Johnson, USA
The Council of Review Boards
Headquarters, Department of the Army
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20310
Commander James W. Drinnon, Jr., SC, USN
Military Traffic Management Command
5611 Columbia Pike
Falls Church, Virginia 20315
LETTER NUMBER 2 - (IATF STAFF)
PAGE 7
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (Cont.)
Mr. Raymond F. DuBois
Special Assistant to the Secretary
of the Army
Office of the Secretary of the Army
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20310
Colonel Gerald S. Rose, USA
Logistics Directorate
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C., 20310
Mr. Jerry D. Duane
Naval Supply Systems Command
Department of the Navy
Washington, D. C. 20376
U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY
Mr. Paul L. Good
702 7th Street, N.E.
Washington, D. C. 20002
Mr. Peter P. Bielak
5516 Trent Street
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20015
Mr. Dion Anderson
1969 Biltmore Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20009
Miss Adrienne W. Redulovic
Office of News and Publications
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 604, SA-12
Department of State
Washington, D C. 20520
Mr. Nguyen Van Minh
Office of News and Publications
HEW Indochina Task Force
Room 604, SA-12
Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
LETTER NUMBER 2 - (IATF STAFF)
PAGE 8
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Melvin F. Flaherty
6634 Locust Street
Falls Church, Virginia 22046
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Mr. Roger C. Adams
Criminal Division
Department of Justice
Washington, D. C. 20530
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Ms. Gwen L. Zuares
Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Office of Field Operations
601 D Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20210
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Jack Fay
Program Analyst
Office of Publically Assisted Housing
Room 6130
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C. 20410
LETTER NUMBER 3
(AGENCY MOBILIZER)
PRESIDENTIAL LETTER OF APPRECIATION LETTER NUMBER 3 (Agency Mobilizer)
Dear
:
I wish you to know of my personal appreciation for the
important contribution you have made to the Indochinese refugee
resettlement program.
As a result of your efforts more than 130,000 people who
had to flee their homelands in Southeast Asia have been helped
to make a new beginning in America. The success of that
humanitarian effort required the dedication, skill, and
cooperation of thousands of men and women of goodwill in both
public and private life.
Your role in mobilizing the resources [of your agency
to assist the resettlement program merits special recognition
and the gratitude of those who managed the program, of the
refugees who were helped by it, and the American people in
whose name you helped fulfill our responsibility as a Nation.
Please accept my personal thanks for your outstanding
and dedicated service in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
Gerald R. Ford
WITHDRAWAL SHEET (PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES)
FORM OF
CORRESPONDENTS OR TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
DOCUMENT
List
List of Presidential Letter of Appreciation (5 pages)
C. 1975
A
File Location:
Theodore Marrs Papers, Box 10, Indochina Refugees - Interagency Task Force (2) / TMH / 07/17/2015
RESTRICTION CODES
(A) Closed by applicable Executive order governing access to national security information.
(B) Closed by statute or by the agency which originated the document.
(C) Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in the donor's deed of gift.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
NA FORM 1429 (1-98)