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Indochina Refugees - President's Advisory Committee: General (2)
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19077070
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Indochina Refugees - President's Advisory Committee: General (2)
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Theodore C. Marrs Files (Ford Administration)
Theodore Marrs' General Subject Files
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Vietnam (Republic)
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1975-12-31
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The original documents are located in Box 11, folder "Indochina Refugees - President's Advisory Committee: General (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 Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 11 of the Theodore C. Marrs Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library Refuges May 13, 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR: JACK MARSH FROM: TED MARRS Jack: The people on the attached list are pleased to serve on the President's Advisory Committee on Refugees, as of Wednesday, May 14, at 8:00 a.m. Lady Bird could not serve at this time. She is very supportive but is overly obligated, is limiting herself to non-controversial issues, and is going to Africa. She also sends her love and respect to the President and Mrs. Ford. John Eisenhower appreciated the Moscow trip, is honored to serve, and will serve as Chairman. He believes, and I concur, that a single Chairman can simplify things for all of us. Ethel Kennedy is considering participation and will call back tomorrow morning. She states that she so much wants to do something for that nice man of whom she thinks 80 highly - - the President. We are also continuing to try to reach Ellie Peterson who is "walking in Scotland." Attachment FORD & LIBRARY GERALD PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REFUGEES Chairman: John Eisenhower Mayor Joseph Alioto Archbishop Joseph Bernardine, United States Catholic Conference Ashby Boyle, National Youth Chairman, March of Dimes Reverend W. Sterling Cary, President, National Council of Churches John Denver, Popular Singer Gaetana Enders, Has been active in refugee matters Governor Dan Evans Mayor Maurice Ferre Minor George, Prominent Heritage Leader Edgar Kaiser, Chairman of the Board, Kaiser Industries Philip Klutznick, Past President, B'nai Brith William J. Kuhfuss, President of the American Farm Bureau George Meany, AFL-CIO Clarke Reed, Republican National Chairman, Mississippi Dr. Malcomb Todd, AMA, Long Beach, California Elder A. Theodore Tuttle, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints May 14, 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR: JERRY JONES FORD i LIBRARY GERALD FROM: TED MARRS In order to implement the President's decision of making available three professional and three clerical persons to work with the President's Advisory Committee on Refu- gees, I propose that these persons be detailed and in- stitutionalized as a part of the Office of Public Liaison under the direction of the Special Assistant to the Presi- dent for Human Resources. Therefore, will you please arrange: (1) detailing of Roger Semerad initially from the Domestic Council (and later from an appropriate department to serve as the director of the White House Office of Refugee Resettle- ment; (2) detailing of James Delaney from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to serve as Deputy Director of this Office; and (3) the detailing of Walter Kallaur from the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration to serve as Deputy Director of this office. Provision of three secretaries through detailing is also required. To insure adequate support for this committee to function effectively, these actions should be accomplished this week.since the committee will start functioning May 19. Note: While the people are needed immediately there are technical details being worked between Counsel and OMB which might change structure somewhat. This is coord. with Counsel. TCM THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON FORD May 15, 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. THEODORE MARRS FROM: BARRY ROTH BR SUBJECT: President's Advisory Committee on Refugees As you know, Section 10 (a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App. 1, generally requires that each advisory committee meeting be open to the public and that advance notice of each meeting be published in the Federal Register. The current proposal is that following the signing of the Executive Order establishing the committee, the members will be invited to the Department of State for a detailed briefing on the government's current efforts in this regard. On Tuesday, the members are to be flown to one of the refugee camps where they will have an opportunity for an inspection tour and to learn firsthand the problems that are now being faced by the refugees. Neither of these sessions constitutes a meeting within the context of the above-referenced Act, but instead are simply fact-finding or briefing sessions. While public attendance at these sessions is not possible due to space and time considerations, in order to be consistent with the spirit of the Act, the news media should be invited to attend both of them. In addition, except for any matters exempted from mandatory disclosure by the Freedom of Information Act, the "records, reports, transcripts, minutes, appendixes, working papers, drafts, studies, agenda, or other documents which were made available to or prepared for by each advisory committee shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the offices of the advisory committee or the agency to which the advisory committee reports until the advisory committee ceases to exist. 11 (5 U.S.C., App. 1, Sec. 10 (b)). In this instance, all such papers should be available at HEW in accordance with Section 4 of the draft order. If you have further questions in this regard, don't hesitate to contact me. TED MARRS: Will you please forward this to Ambassador Eisenhower prior to the meeting on Friday? Thank you. DAVID C. HOOPES May 21, 1975 May 21, 1975 The Honorable John S. D. Eisenhower Chairman, President's Advisory Committee on Refugees Washington, D.C. FORD & GERALD LIBRARY Dear Mr. Ambassador: You asked for a few suggestions for the agenda on Friday. The following matters came to mind during our visit yesterday to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas: 1. We need to preserve the strong Vietnamese family units Appropriate placement of Vietnamese--by family units--can be aided by adequate interviewing of American sponsors as well as Vietnamese family members. 2. We need to provide a sense of security for Vietnamese families Preserve, in so far as possible, the similarity of religious backgrounds. Seek help and representation from the Buddhist faith. 3. We need to define the role of sponsors for resettlement Adequate guidelines should be drawn up for potential sponsors-- and announced by the President--including: a. Need for American sponsors b. Requirements (what is expected of sponsors--i. e., housing, clothing, spending money, jobs, schooling, etc.) C. Manner in which to volunteer as a sponsor; guidance in contacting state and voluntary agencies; time-line on possible placement, etc. Sincerely yours, 343rt A. Theodore Tuttle THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON May 23, 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR: DAVE HOOPES FORD & GERALD LIBRARY FROM: ROGER SEMERAD RADS SUBJECT: Office Requirements for Staff of President's Advisory Committee on Refugees To fulfill the requirements of the Executive Order establish- ing the President's Advisory Committee on Refugees and the Charter commencing the operations of the Committee, it will necessary to have sufficient office space, furniture, equip- ment, communications, etc. As Executive Director I will require an office large enough to include a small conference area. I will need two offices for deputies at the professional level. I will need an office available for the Chairman of the Committee and preferably one additional spare office for use by other Committee members, interns, or volunteers working on the refugee problem. Sufficient space is required for three secretaries. My understanding is that there is suitable office space available on the fourth floor of the New Executive Office Building. I would appreciate all efforts to expedite securing this space so that the Committee staff may immediately proceed with the urgent business at hand. Your cooperation and assistance in this matter will be most appreciated. CC: Ted Marrs THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON May 23, 1975 GERALD FORD LIBRARY MEMORANDUM FOR: DAVE HOOPES FROM: ROGER SEMERAD PLS SUBJECT: President's Advisory Committee on Refugees - Personnel Requirements While it is unclear at this time how the staff is to be identified, secured, and paid, it is of utmost importance that these administrative matters be resolved. As you know, the Committee has already met and outlined exten- sive program which the refugee problem dictates be handled as quickly as possible. Pursuant to the May 14 memorandum to Jerry Jones from Ted Marrs requesting my assignment plus that of James Delaney from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Walter Kallaur from the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration to be detailed to me as Deputies. I would appreciate whatever steps are required to secure the services of these two persons. In addition it is necessary to request three secretaries to serve the Committee staff. I would prefer to have one senior person as Adminis- trative Assistant/Secretary. Because of the considerable inner action with the Members of the Committee, White House Staff, senior agency personnel and the media, I think it is mandatory to have an experienced person available. I have several individuals in mind about whom I would need to talk to the personnel people. I would appreciate your setting the appropriate wheels in motion so that we can quickly put our team together to accomplish the mission before us. Your usual cooperation is most appreciated. CC: Ted Marrs THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON THE PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REFUGEES & FORD MINUTES OF MEETING #1 Friday, May 23, 1975 GERALD New Executive Office Building Room 4203 Opening remarks by Dr. Theodore C. Marrs. He discussed the distinct phases in the processing of refugees - the extraction of people from Vietnam; the acceptance of people moving from Vietnam (9,000 increase during this week) ; setting up of basic processing; expediting clearances which were slow in the beginning; establishing Vietnamese communities in the processing centers; and the movement of the Vietnamese into the U.S. community. 18,432 have been released; 1,100 have indicated a desire to return to Vietnam. The earlier phases were conducted under the State Department; at this point in time we are shifting to HEW. Ambassador L. Dean Brown has resigned and may be replaced by a repre- sentative from HEW to reflect the domestic instead of the foreign aspect. Dr. Marrs expressed the President's appreciation for the Committee Members' prompt response in adjusting their schedules in order to accept their responsibilities on the Committee. Swearing-In of Committee Members was administered by Mr. John J. Ratchford of the White House Staff. Chairman John Eisenhower discussed future meetings. There will be a meeting every week or every two weeks at the start, then monthly. On that basis, the next meeting will be June 3 at 10:00 a.m. In response to a question of schedule conflicts, Dr. Marrs stated that designating an alternate is acceptable. Chairman Eisenhower opened discussion about a draft report to be sent to the President within the next couple of days on the Committee's trip to Ft. Chaffee. This will be distributed. Members are requested to call in their correc- tions and/or objections to Roger Semerad by Tuesday, May 27. Make sure that this is in accordance with the understanding of all members. a FORD 2 GERALD LIDERAY Dr. Marrs reported on the meeting with the Voluntary Agencies on May 22. Met with eleven agencies. The role of the Advisory Committee was explained. The group was asked for their professional advice and candid comments pertaining to the situation at present, based on their experiences in other refugee processing centers. Dr. Marrs highlighted the meeting report submitted to the Committee. Mrs. Gaetana Enders reported on her visit to Camp Pendleton. During this past week the Camp was much better organized. The head of the Task Force, Nick Thorne, has done a fine job. Everybody agreed that the situation was unsatisfactory, but it is improving rapidly. Morale among the refugees is good. Recommend that Cambodian refugees should be kept together. They are very family oriented like the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese are more opportunity oriented than are the Cambodians. Mrs. Enders suggested the development of a TV show - showing a sponsor and a refugee family, giving a detailed report on sponsoring, so that the public will not be confused as to their responsibilities. Elder A. Theodore Tuttle reported that the Mormon organization has about ten times more sponsors than they have refugee families and forego the $500 from the government. Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin: The U.S. Catholic Conference has a rather extensive refugee program - very much aware of the problems, but are very optimistic as we all pull together. They have written to ask that a collection be taken up among their people and have established 158 resettlement offices throughout the country to be staffed by our service people in those areas. Mr. Leo Perlis stated that the AFL/CIO had a representative at Camp Pendleton for four days and the report was rather positive. Watched the VolAgs work in Miami and they did a tremendous job. They are doing their day-to-day jobs, and in his opinion the Committee should consult with them more. Mr. Philip Klutznick stated that the Advisory Committee is in a position to ask the service clubs to contribute and perhaps raise money on their own for this project. It might be good to designate members as liaison with the VolAgs. 3 GERAID FORD There are considerable resources available in the service clubs and businessmens' clubs. The VolAgs need to know the interest of these organizations. Chairman Eisenhower asked (1) if it would be a good idea to have a subcommittee of this Committee for liaison with the VolAgs; (2) would we want to recommend that the $500 per person allotment be looked at with a view to raise it. Mr. Klutznick suggested it would be better if we maintained individual relationships with the Voluntary Agencies. Mr. Perlis recommended a rotating representative from the Voluntary Agencies to the Advisory Committee on a regular basis. Chairman Eisenhower asked how many have direct contact with the VolAgs. There were seven. Mr. David Ford mentioned that the Task Force meets with the VolAgs weekly. Mr. Minor George: Organizations who will want to contribute will be calling and wanting information. Guidelines need to be set. VolAgs will be welcome at every meeting which will be held by the Committee. Mr. Roger Semerad indicated they were invited to this meeting today and an open invitation would be extended. Mr. George said that he has four requests for speeches and needs guidelines. Does not have enough information to use in talking to these organizations. People want definite work skills when they sponsor refugees. Mrs. Enders: Women want to know if there are plans to establish a Subcommittee for Women. If the Committee thinks that this is good, she would be willing to start it. Dr. W. Sterling Cary indicated that the Committee needs clari- fication of its role. It is being pressed for news, conferences and speeches. Mr. Leo Perlis requested detailed information on the responsi- bilities of sponsorship. Would like to be able to send information to all the people who telephone, who want to participate -- questions such as who are the sponsors, what 4 does one have to do, who is the contact, and what about medical costs; all Committee Members ought to have this to send to our people. Chairman Eisenhower requested the staff develop with the Task Force a set of guidelines establishing the responsibil- ities of sponsorship for distribution through the primary VolAgs. We should send out notification so that those 11 will know that they can attend every meeting we have. The Chairman outlined a six part assignment: 1. The White House Staff will draw up guidelines for VolAgs with responsibilities for sponsorships. 2. Guidelines will include references to the agenda items of this Committee and VolAgs will be notified prior to each meeting. 3. As a matter of principle, we will express appreciation for help offered and request that as much as possible this help be directed through the 11 or 12 established VolAgs. 4. Reassessment of the $500 per head. 5. Discrepancies between the May 2 and the May 19 instructions. 6. Ideas will be examined for a Women's Subcommittee to be discussed at the next meeting. Dr. Malcolm C. Todd. An AMA representative visited Camp Pendleton and paid a great tribute to the Camp officials and the refugees. Mr. Semerad indicated that it will take several days to get the Committee office set up. The travel accounts will be take care of and a steady stream of informational material will be provided for the Members to use in their contacts. Mr. Tuttle reported on his recent visit to Guam. The same conditions exist as at Camp Pendleton. They have done everything they could do in the time they have had. He has GERALD R. FORD 5 done a lot of interviewing of refugees and knows their back- ground and also interviews the sponsors about family, jobs, homes - what the family is like - in order to select the best sponsor. Placing a family with a sponsor must be done permanently; he stressed that it is a shortsighted process to hurriedly arrange a sponsor. Chairman Eisenhower in going over the Roles and Objectives, the Committee is to: 1. Inform the President of things that come to the Committee's attention. 2. Stress public relations, public knowledge, and public understanding with emphasis on resettlement. A great deal of understanding has been developed in a week, however, there is not going to be instant efficiency. The Chairman extended his appreciation for the Members' cooperation. The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m. FORD ATTENDING Ambassador John Eisenhower, Chairman Archbishop Joseph Bernardin, Member Ashby Boyle, Member Dr. W. Sterling Cary, Member Mrs. Gaetana Enders, Member Minor George, Member Philip Klutznick, Member Clarke Reed, Member Dr. Malcolm Todd, Member Rankin Lusby for Mr. Kuhfuss Leo Perlis for Mr. Meany Ralph Munro for Mr. Evans Carl Pagter for Mr. Kaiser Manolo Roboso for Mr. Ferre Dr. Ted Marrs, Special Assistant to the President Roger Semerad, Executive Director, PACR David Ford, Interagency Task Force FORD THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REFUGEES MEETING Friday, May 23, 1975 10:00 a.m. -- Room 4203 NEOB FORD & GERALD LIBRARY AGENDA Welcome -- Dr. Ted Marrs, Special Assistant to the President Swearing-in of Committee Members 8. Oath to be administered by Dr. Marrs Introduction -- Chairman Eisenhower Report to the President on Fort Chaffee site visit Report on Meeting with Voluntary Agencies Dr. Marrs - Roger Semerad Issues to be addressed by Committee Discussion of goals and objectives Committee administrative matters Scheduling of future meetings Adjournment Referge File John S. D. Eisenhower Valley Forge. Pennsylvania 19481 May 30, 1975 The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Senate Office Building Washington, D. C. 20510 Dear Senator Kennedy: I would like to express my personal appreciation of your interest in the efforts of the President's Advisory Committee to help in the rapid solution of the refugee problem. I was particularly glad that you are sending a representative to the meetings of the Committee. We need all the support and advice we can get. Sincerely yours, John Eisenhown JSDE/ajh bec: Dr. Theodore C. Marrs Mr. Roger Semerad FORD & OFRAMO LIBRARY John S. D. Eisenhower Valley Forge. Pennsylvania 19481 May 30, 1975 The Honorable Peter W. Rodino, Jr. House Office Building Washington, D. C. 20515 Dear Mr. Rodino: I would like to express my appreciation of your pledge of support for the efforts of the President's Advisory Committee on Refugees. It was good to see you at the White House ceremony, and if an occasion arises, be assured that we will be soliciting your advice or help. Sincere ly yours, John Eunham JSDE/ajh bcc: Dr. Theodore C. Marrs Mr. Roger Semerad FORD & LIBRARY GENALD HEALTH FOR Refuge tele $ , DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION. AND WELFARE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY USA WASHINGTON. D.C. 20201 June 2, 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR: Julia Taft, Interim Director Interagency Task Force Roger Semerad, Executive Director Advisory Committee FROM: Don Wortman Director, HEW Refugee Task Force SUBJECT: Budget and Administrative Support for President's Advisory Committee on Refugees Based on agreements reached at two meetings (Taft/Wortman on 5/27 and Roth, Semerad/Wortman on 5/28) I am cofirming with this memorandum the budget and administrative agree- ments reached to support the Committee. 1. Budget FORD & GERALD LIBRARY FY '75 Estimate - $10,000 FY ' 76 Estimate - $50,000 The FY '75 expenditure will be charged against the $98 million appropriation. The FY '76 expenditure will be charged to State's $305 million appropriation as being primarily related to the "Resettlement Costs" category. These figures are subject to change based on the final version of the White House authorization bill with respect to detailing of personnel on a non- reimbursable basis. Mrs. Taft is to instruct State's Comptroller to work out budget and accounting arrangements directly with David Hollar (telephone - 343-7139) in GSA's Office of Finance, to assure appropriate billing by GSA to this appropriation. -2- 2. Fiscal/Administrative Support GSA has agreed to handle travel scheduling, travel and per diem reimbursement, and such other consulting or contracting requirements that may arise. GSA is to be reimbursed for staff assigned to this. 3. Professional and Secretarial Staff A. Mr. Semerad has initiated requests for detailees to various agencies for his core staff. B. Immediate need for Committee Management Specialist to assure that requirements of Federal Advisory Committee Act are met and to perform liaison tasks for Mr. Semerad with GSA will be met by an experienced HEW employee on a 30 day detail. CERALO R. FORD LIBRARY Carbon Copies to: Ted Marrs, WH Barry Roth, WH Bill Fischer, OMB Mike Sturman, HEW Bill Ballenger, HEW Dave Ford, HEW CERALD R. FORD CINRED & ATSY T. MINK 6-3 OFFICES: SECOND DISTRICT WASHINGTON, D.C. HAWAII 4 2338 RAYBURN BUILDING PHONE: 225-4906 MITTEE ON EDUCATION NO LABOR Congress of the United States HONOLULU, HAWAII SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION 346-348 FEDERAL BUILDING GENERAL SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES House of Representatives PHONE: 531-4602 COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND WAIPAHU, HAWAII INSULAR AFFAIRS Washington, D.C. 20515 94-801 FARRINGTON HIGHWAY SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRITORIAL AND PHONE: 671-0170 INSULAR AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTER ON NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION June 2, 1975 SUBCOMMITTEE ON MINES AND MINING, Refugee File CHAIRMAN Honorable Gerald R. Ford President of the United States FORD i LIBRARY GERALD The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Me Dear Mr. President: I would like to express my concern that a qualified Asian American and a psychiatrist were not among the members recently appointed to the Eisenhower Commission which has been charged with the task of resolving problems relating to the relocation of Vietnamese refugees in the U.S. I believe there is a clear need to involve the insight and understanding an Asian American and a psychiatrist could bring to this Commission. I respectfully suggest an Asian American and a psychiatrist be appointed. The mental health needs of the refugees are liable to be significant. In addition to a psychiatrist I believe someone who is familiar with Asian culture would be particularly helpful in identifying needs and developing the most satisfactory means with which to deal with them. Thank you very much for your consideration of this matter. Very truly yours, PATSY T. MINK Member of Congress June 5, 1975 FORD & GERALD LIBRARY Dear : On May 19, 1975, President Ford appointed a seventeen member advisory refugees committee to assist him in resettling the Indochina refugees. These families/are presently located at military camps here and on Guam. Most have arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs. NATION people As a/nation/of immigrants, we have an historical commitment to these (immigrants) their Allies difficult As allies of the Indochinese in a long and tragic war, we have a moral obligation to them. The task of resettlement must not and need not be an occasion for prolonging the fear, uncertainty and despair which have clouded the lives of these people for so long. Their number is small, their needs are minimal. But if the job is to be done, it will depend upon the good will of all Americans, and the direct assistance of some. SOCIETY In order to move these refugees out of the camps and into/our national life,> it will be necessary to obtain sponsors for them. Families, civic groups and institutions may all sponsor refugee families as described in the enclosed folder. The burden of sponsorship can be eased, however, and sponsor- ship encouraged if state and local agencies are committed to assist in this endeavor. I am enclosing the details of the settlement program undertaken by Governor Evans in Washington. It is simple, comprehensive, easily implemented, and effective. Obviously, would have to tailor a plan to fit its own unique administrative structure and its resources. I urge you to give consideration to the developing a program to help meet this critical need. The Federal Government can and will provide you with (full)assistance. Alt. (Mr./Mrs. of is a member of the President's Advisory Committee, and will be at your disposal to provide whatever guidance or assistance might be of value in hastening the day when the refugees of Indochina are citizens of the United States.) I am confident that the President can count on you and the people of for your help in the resettlement effort. Sincerely, John S. D. Eisenhower Chairman President's Advisory Committee on Refugees FORD & LIBRARY GERALD FORD LIBRARY a. Ted marrs 3 1,200 Refugees BULLETIN Refuse to Leave Camp June Fglin Air Force Base, Fla.-(UPI) but said the girl broke into tears from one camp to another to reunite ed moving more rapidly from crowd- Some 1,200 Vietnamese refugees when she tried to explain what had families. ed camps to the U.S. mainland, and have refused to leave a refugee camp happened. Hugh McCloone of the Cathelic Re- officials expressed hope that as many here because they fear life outside the Gottlieb said. there are 20 cases of lief Bureau said another problem is as 18,000 can leave here within a tent compound or because their fami- refugees refusing to leave because a sharp decline in the number, of week. lies are still separated, officials re- some members of their family are in sponsors: Sponsorship offers have "By June 10, we hope to be down port. different camps. He said they won't dropped from more than 400 a day 25.000 refugees on the island," said a "We're afraid to take the final leave until their families are re- when the first groups of refugees ar- Navy spokesman. step." explained one refugee who united. So far, however, Washing- rived to only 75 or 80 a day in recent There are currently 42,912 Vietna- asked not to be identified. "We don't ton officials haven't established pro- weeks. mese on Guam, with 33,903 crammed really know our sponsors," he said, cedures for transferring refugees And on Guam, refugees have start- into sprawling "Tent City: "and we don't know whether they will really be responsible for us." Les Gottlieb, deputy chief of the sprawling tent camp, said there is some basis for the refugees* fears. There have been three cases in re- cent weeks of refugees leaving the camp, only to return several days la- ter saying they didn't like their spon- sors or weren't ready to face the out- side world. One case-that of a refugee 'girl who left camp recently with her spon- ] sor to settle in 8 Florida panhandle town-had a deep impact on the resi- dents of the camp. "She showed up at the main gate in the dead of night only a couple of days after leaving camp," Gott- lief said. Gottlieb declined to go into detail, - John S. D. Eisenhower 6 June 1975 FORD LIBRARY & GERALD Dear Ted: After dictating this letter I remembered our friend Sak-Sutsa-Kamh. I saw him and his wife, and I find him quite reasonable and cooperative. They should be sprung into the custedy of their sponsor (one of the few that will be spensored on a family-te-family basis, in my opinion) by Monday afternoon. Sutsa-Kamh's spensor will be Colonel Robert Reimensmeider, USAF Retd 400 Harp Read Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 Phone: 301-797-3970 You just may want to see him. Best, John John S. D. Eisenhower Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19481 June 6, 1975 Dr. Ted Marrs Room 103 Executive Office Building The White House FORD & LIBRARY DERALD Washington, D. C. Dear Ted: I am sorry that you couldn't make it to Indiantown Gap today. Not that the camp is all that much different from the others, but I would like to have had a chance to talk in confidence. This camp does, incidentally, show the results of having an experienced commander. As you know, BG Jim Cannon got his feet wet at Chaffee and thus opened up IGMR with some ideas which he doubtless sold to Dick Friedman (Civ Coordinator). As one small example, he and Dick Friedman have opted not to have a refugee "mayor." This idea, which we all thought so ducky when we were at Chaffee, seems to have its drawbacks, especially when the U.S. authorities put too much reliance on the refugee organization. It is fairly obvious by now that the main function of our Committee will be salesmanship. We have our product; now we need a real program for selling the idea of sponsorship. During the time that I'm out of action next week, I recommend that you get Roger Semerad and his staff to study (1) how we sell war bonds and (2) what funds are available to do SO. I see no reason why we couldn't use movie stars, particularly John Denver, who has accepted a position on the Committee, to make some one-minute hard-sell spots. The informational aspects of our duties seem minimal. Everything the Committee knows we get from the Task Force. That information is also available to you. Whereas individual committee members will have reports to make, I see little reason why they should be swallowed and regurgitated by a Dr. Ted Marrs 2 seventeen-member committee, then presented to you for transmission to the President. I say this only to emphasize the point that I think we should get busy on the salesmanship end. Best, John JSDE/ajh P. S. I will keep the White House operator informed of my telephone number next week. JSDE. CC Semerad FORD & LIBRARY GERALD 7 SERVICIOUS PM DEFEAT MUSCULAR DYSTROPIA SUPPORT MDAA 1975 UNITED 10 STATES Dr. Theodore Marrs Room 103 Executive Office Building The White House Washington, D.C. John S. D. Eisenhower Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19481 3 John S. D. Eisenhower Valley Forge. Pennsylvania 19481 June 5, 1975 R. Room 103 GERALD FORD Mr. Roger Semerad Executive Office Building The White House LIBRATA Washington, D. C. Dear Roger: Before I left Washington Tuesday I had the chance to see Ted Marrs for a few minutes. We were agreed that the meeting was disappointing. We heard many sermons but came up with only a handful of proposals. Some of those proposals, such as the organization of the Committee of Vietnamese and the organization of the Management-Labor Committee, will require some work; and I trust there will be no delay. In that connection I would appreciate receiving a copy of the minutes as soon as possible - that is before 15 June - because I would hate to try to repeat all of the things we agreed to do without reference to the record. We have now reached what I hope is the nadir of our operation. The ideas and the sermons have flowed; but up to this time we have been operating without staff. I don't need to tell you that my entire posture with relation to this job lies very much in your hands. If you can organize a staff that will be able to keep me informed and be sufficiently responsive that I feel I have some control over the situation from this distance, then my personal position with the Committee will be tenable. On the other hand, if I see the program going slowly and find myself unable to take any action to affect it, then I will have to give some cold thought as to whether this whole thing is worth the trip. I trust that you take these remarks in the spirit they are intended, simply that I am relying on you and Mr. Roger Semerad 2 the staff you organize to make it possible for me to do the limited job that I visualize. Best, John JSDE/ajh P.S. I told Julia Taft that I would keep her on my distribution list for clippings. I would appreciate your sending this one to her and sending me her correct address. JSDE. CC: Dr. Theodore Marrs FORD & LIBRARY RFile THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 9, 1975 FORD is LIDRARY GERALD Dr. Theodore Marrs: Enclosed are copies of an exchange of correspond- ence between Ambassador Eisenhower and Dr. Todd, AMA. I thought this subject might be of interest to you. Roge D. Semerad Executive A Director President's Advisory Committee on Refugees M AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION 535 NORTH DEARBORN STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60610 PHONE (312) 751-6000 TWX 910-221-0300 MEDICAL SIDENT COLM C. TODD, M.D., F.A.C.S. May 29, 1975. Mr. John Eisenhower, Chairman GERALD FORD LIGRAPY President's Commission on Refugees The White House Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Chairman: Since the Committee's work is progressing very rapidly and public opinion being formulated in regards to the mission and objectives of our Committee the following is offered pertaining to health professionals. 1. It seems to me we ought to have standardized data accountability of all licensed Health personnel in camps. 2. Known categories of Vietnamese physicians. a. Hanoi trained doctors - 45 years old and older, well trained but need refresher courses and up dating competence. b. Those trained by French 30 + years old. Not scientifically trained and substandard to United States grad. c. Saigon trained doctors up to 30 and well trained under U.S. and AMA program. They could easily be taken into our residency programs now. There is a possibility that Dr. Lyndon Lee at the V.A. in Washington is interested in finding residency positions in V.A. Hospitals all over the U.S. This. would require a Presidential or State Department request. Perhaps HEW could help us here. At this stage and time they would not have had to have passe d he ECFMG exam now State license. It would appear our Committee should ask the President to request the V.A. open and fund these residency positions. 3. Pharmacists, Laboratory technicians and administrators are in these camps and could used be utilized as allied health personnel only 4. Within 6 months it is estimated that most all these people would be tax payers after release from camps. 5. Other personnel (non professional) Many such refugees could be employed in Sacramento and other areas where rice is grown. They are skilled growers and would not be competing with unemployed Americans, because our people are not willing to grow rice. We are concerned about the few students from the AMA Saigon Medical school program. We should see that they finish their M.D. training. Some were to graduate this year. 6. Vietnamese and Cambodia Input. We must give serious consideration to placing representatives of the Vietnamese and Cambodia, on our task force or at least a committee role to aid us in resolving the problem. 7. I submit the names of: a. Malcom Phelps, M.D. Former Director of the AMA Physician Viet Nam program. b. Jean E. Carlin, M.D. Associate Dean University of California, Irvine. c. John Cowan, M.D. Ret. Adm. (USN) Former head AMA Department of International Health. All valuable resource individuals in this arena. I note you visited Pendleton, and I regret I was unable to accompany you but previous committments prevented this. I am enclosing one of my staff reporters visit of 12 days ago. You note it is very favorable. All in all I think you are to be commended for your leadership in this worthy activity. Cordially, Malcolm C. Todd, M.D., President, American Medical Association Member, Commission FORD MEMORANDUM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR JUN TO DATE: 6 1975 : Ambassador John Eisenhower Chairman, President's Advisory Committee on Refugees FROM : Robert van Hoek, M. Rub Acting Administrator PHS/DHEW Coordinator for Refugee Medical Assistance SUBJECT: Vietnamese Physician and Dental Placement and Retraining Efforts - INFORMATION The Health Services Administration of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was requested on June 2, 1975, by Dr. Malcolm Todd, President of the American Medical Association, and Mr. Walter Kallaur to provide an updated status report on the activities being undertaken regarding the identification, relocation, and retraining of Vietnamese refugee health pro- fessionals. This memorandum identifies the activities now being undertaken by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the American Medical Association, the American Association of Medical Colleges, the American Dental Association, and the Association of American Dental Schools and other Federal and private health agencies and groups which are assisting in the retraining and placement of Vietnamese health professionals. There appear to be approximately 260 to 280 Vietnamese physicians among the Vietnamese refugees. A special effort has been under- taken to collect information from these physicians through the use of a questionnaire designed to gather specific information about Vietnamese physician educational and training levels. A special tracking system for these Vietnamese physicians has been established and at the present time there are 223 Vietnamese physicians in this tracking system. Of these 223 physicians, only two had met the licensure requirements for practice in the United States, and only an additional 28 have passed the ECFMG examination. The ECFMG examination is a standardized examination administered to all foreign medical graduate students as a prerequisite to R. FORD their entering into approved internship and residency programs in the United States. The remaining 193 Vietnamese physicians GERALD have not taken the ECFMG examination and, as with other foreign medical graduates, are required to pass this examination prior to entering into accredited training programs or becoming eligible to take State licensure examinations. In addition, we have Ambassador Eisenhower 2 identified 29 medical students and information is being sought for an additional possible 20 to 30 students who we understand have emigrated to this country. A special Task Force was established with representatives of the American Medical Association, the American Association of Medical Colleges, the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates, and a number of programs within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare that deal with training and place- ment of physicians in this country. In addition, knowledgeable individuals who participated with the programs sponsored by the Agency for International Development of the State Department and who worked with the American Medical Association's efforts in Viet Nam were contacted and included in this Task Force activity. The Task Force met on May 21, 1975, and has been working to identify problem areas and solutions associated with the reentry of Viet- namese physicians into the practice of medicine in this country. Special arrangements have been made for 26 physicians who were scheduled to take the ECFMG examination in Saigon this July to take the test in different testing sites in this country. Further, an effort has been made to assure that those individuals who had not registered for the July examination would be included in the January ECFMG examination. A plan is being developed with refugee Vietnamese medical school faculty to grant certificates to those medical students who had completed their seventh year of training in Vietnamese schools so as to assure their eligibility for taking the ECFMG examination. For American as well as for foreign medical graduates, there now exists a standardized and systemmatic method for examinations which establishes the professional skills and capability of physicians to practice medicine in the United States. While actual licensure to practice is the responsibility of each State, there are a number of national examinations to assess clinical ability which are accepted by most States. These include the ECFMG, which establishes eligibility for a foreign medical graduate to enter into an internship or residency in this country, and the FLEX examination, which is a national certifying examination given to individuals having completed at least one year of internship or postgraduate training and which is accepted by most States as evidence of sufficient clinical competence to grant a State license. In January 1975, 19,158 foreign medical graduates took GSSALO FORD Ambassador Eisenhower 3 the ECFMG examination in order to be eligible for postgraduate training in this country and 6,952 (36.3 percent) passed this examination. These percentages reflect approximately the same experience for Vietnamese physicians who have taken the ECFMG examination in the past. The mechanisms presently being utilized for retraining of Vietnamese physicians reflect the Department's present operating policy that while efforts will be made to coordinate and facilitate placement and retraining opportunities in medical schools and training programs, the Department will not undertake activities nor obligate funds to create opportunities or program approaches that are not presently available to other foreign medical graduates or, most importantly, to the more than 3,000 American citizens who have studied medicine abroad and who have returned to this country and wish to enter training programs and/or practice medicine. This would mean that the arrangements and opportunities will largely be a function of the sponsoring individuals or medical schools and training programs. These groups have in the past and are now assuming responsibilities for assisting in the upgrading of foreign medical graduate clinical skills to a level where the ECFMG examination may be taken and passed. Of the 223 physicians now identified, over 100 have left relocation centers and are presently being sponsored in communities across the country. In some areas, there are significant concentrations of Vietnamese physicians and approaches are presently being developed by medical schools or training programs in those areas to provide assistance in preparing these physicians for the ECFMG examination (i.e. Dallas, Galveston, Washington, Los Angeles, and Omaha). These opportunities largely take the form of special courses that are being provided within institutional settings for individuals and/or developing mechanisms to permit these physicians to serve in a capacity related to patient care (while not practicing medicine) during the period of time while they are preparing for the examination. For those individuals who have passed the ECFMG, active efforts are underway to place them in training programs or to make special arrangements for their utilization in Public Health Service programs such as the National Health Service Corps, Indian Health Service, and Federal Hospital System. It does not appear as if there will be any difficulty in finding postgraduate training opportunities or practice opportunities for the 28 physicians who have passed the ECFMG examination. & FORD GERALD Ambassador Eisenhower 4 A significant amount of time has been and will continue to be expended in working with professional associations, medical schools, and training programs to help them identify Vietnamese physician refugees who are seeking their assistance in the area where their programs are operating. We plan to continue this effort and feel that since the process for the majority of the 193 non-certified physicians may take from three to five years before actual licensure to practice medicine in the United States, this approach will be the most equitable and effective. Further, significant efforts are being undertaken to work with a large number of communities who wish to sponsor Vietnamese physicians under the false assumption that these physicians will be ready to practice either immediately or within a short period of time. Efforts are being undertaken to work with these communities to explain the necessity for the standardized certification and licensure require- ments that need to be met, and to assist them in finding alternative mechanisms for the recruitment of certified and licensed physicians. Based on our present information, there are approximately 50 Vietnamese dentists who have emigrated to this country. Efforts have been undertaken with the American Dental Association and the Association of American Dental Schools to develop a mechanism for the possible entry of Vietnamese dentists into the practice of dentistry in the United States. In all but two States, licensure to practice dentistry requires graduation from an accredited American or Canadian dental school. When a comparable problem was faced with Cuban and Hungarian refugee dentists, a mechanism was developed to provide standardized advanced placement testing for these dentists for entry into dental training programs based on the individual dentist's clinical skills and ability to pass a standardized examination. This possibility is presently being evaluated and it appears as if this approach will be the most effective and appropriate mechanism for eventual assimilation of Vietnamese dentists into the practice of dentistry in this country. The problems with nursing and pharmacy represent a different set of issues and approaches. Information is being requested from the State Department regarding those individuals who had nursing and pharmacy backgrounds in Viet Nam and a number of individuals referred to the Physician and Dental Placement Activities are being incorporated into the tracking and information system. The requirements for training and licensure in the field of nursing and pharmacy in Viet Nam are not comparable, as is somewhat the case with medicine and dentistry, with those in this country. & FORD GERALD Ambassador Eisenhower 5 There exist specific individual exceptions for nurses or pharmacists who received additional training in this country. Again, there are specific training and licensure requirements (clinical skill assess- ment through examination) that are required in order to practice nursing and pharmacy in each of the States. It appears as if, in the majority of cases, Vietnamese nurses and pharmacists will require considerable additional training in order to meet the certification and licensure requirements. This, as with physicians and dentists, is best carried out in the private institutional settings which provide this training and which could utilize these individuals on an interim basis in other clinical capacities. It is important to point out that Vietnamese nurses and pharmacists have skills and ex- perience which could allow their entry into the health care delivery systems, particularly in institutional settings, in capacities comparable to that of licensed practical nurses, aides, technicians, and orderlies. The entry into the institutional health care delivery system at these levels will not be as difficult for Vietnamese nurses and pharmacists as it would be for the trained Vietnamese physicians or dentists. Furthermore, entry into health professional capacities at these levels would permit earning capability while other arrange- ments are made for entry into training programs. This would be most easily undertaken within the institutional settings in which individuals are employed. In summary, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, has gathered rather complete information on the majority of Vietnamese physician refugees and is undertaking a coordinative and facilitative role with medical professional organizations, training programs, and medical schools, to integrate Vietnamese physicians into retraining, training, or practice opportunities based upon their educational levels and certification and licensure credentials. Efforts are being undertaken to assess and develop a mechanism to facilitate the integration of Vietnamese dentist refugees into the American dental education system. Due to the special problems with comparable training and certification of nurses, pharmacists, and the much broader availability for health professional employment for these individuals, no active or direct effort is felt to be necessary. An important policy issue that might be considered at the Committee's next meeting is a possible formal recommendation regarding the approach that is being presently utilized. This approach avoids the establishment of any special programs for Vietnamese health professionals which would result in the lessening of the certifica- tion and licensure requirements for the practice of health profes- sionals in this country or would create a situation where one group of foreign medical graduates is being treated separately and with R FORD GERALD Ambassador Eisenhower 6 different approaches from the large number of other foreign medical graduates in the health professions, including American citizens who have studied abroad. It is our present policy and our recom- mendation to the Committee that we continue under the present course of serving in a coordinative and facilitative role through the medical and other health professional associations as well as the training institutions rather than establishing a separate programmatic approach or to provide special programs for this particular group of foreign medical graduates. I would be pleased to provide whatever further information or clarification may be necessary for the Committee and have made arrangements with Mr. Walter Kellaur to update him on a regular basis regarding the status of our activities in this area. R. FORD 07/839 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 9, 1975 FORD & LIBRARY GRANTO MEMORANDUM FOR: CHAIRMAN EISENHOWER COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM: ROGER D. SEMERAD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TM PACR SUBJECT: ADVISORY COMMITTEE STAFF We have been fortunate to arrange for a fine staff, assembled on a temporary basis from various agencies. Their name and general functional areas are as follows: Jim Delaney, Deputy Director, Sponsorship Voluntary Agency Liaison Walter Kallaur, Deputy Director, Interagency Task Force Federal Agency Liaison Noel Koch, Special Consultant, Public Relations Intergovernmental Affairs Frank Daniel, Associate Director, Public Relations Intergovernmental Affairs Carol Akin, Administrative Assistant Catherine Purnell, Committee Management Specialist Dave Morin, White House Summer Intern Additional secretarial staff Brief biographical sketches are attached. Attachments ROGER D. SEMERAD Previous to his appointment as Executive Director of the President's Advisory Committee on Refugees, Mr. Semerad served Presidents Nixon and Ford as a Staff Assistant, Domestic Council, where his responsiblities included education, labor and veterans affairs. Prior to his government service, Mr. Semerad was a federal relations and management consultant as President of his own firm, Dumbarton Associates, Inc. From 1969 to 1973 Mr. Semerad was Executive Director and Secretary/Treasurer of University Associates, Inc., a consulting firm providing a variety of professional services to government agencies, research institutions, colleges and universities. During the period 1967-69, he served as Director of the Office of Federal Programs, American Association of State Colleges and Universities. In 1966 Mr. Semerad came to Washington, as a Fellow, with the U. S. Office of Education. At the time he was Coordinator of Federal Programs at State University College at Buffalo, New York. He also served as Administrative Assistant to the Research Foundation of the State Univer- sity of New York, in Albany, for two years following completion of his active military duty in 1962. Mr. Semerad has served as a consultant to over 150 government agencies, corporations, institutions and school systems since 1965. Mr. Semerad was graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York and completed one year of additional study on public policy development at the National Institute for Public Affairs in Washington, D. C. He is married to the former Cathryn Crangle of New York. They live in Kensington, Mary- land with their daughter Samantha. FORD LIBRARY James J. Delaney, II Deputy Director Prior to this assignment, Mr. Delaney was appointed Director for Management Review, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, (Health and Environment), in February of this year. In this capacity he was responsible for evaluating the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the DoD health care delivery system and health programs through the validation of planning criteria, guidelines and assumptions; the evaluation of program productivity; and the assessment of service quality provided by all programs. Additionally, he was tasked with the overall coordination of the refugee program as it pertained to the Assistant Secretary of Defense, (Health and Environment). In May of 1974 he was appointed Associate Administrator for Information Systems in the Social and Rehabilitation Service (the W of HEW). His office was responsible for all management systems and forecasting activities with the Agency. This responsibility included approval for all States' systems and computer equipment for which federal financial participation was claimed, specifically in the major program areas of Medicaid, social services, welfare and rehabilitation services. From April 1973 until May 1974 Mr. Delaney served as Executive Secretary for the Social and Rehabilitation Service. He insured the proper clearance and coordination of all policy emanating from the Administrator of SRS. Subsequent to his assignment ot the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, he served as the Executive Director of the Committee on Health Services Industry, Executive Office of the President, during Phase II of the Economic Stabilization program. This committee was responsible for halving the rate of inflation in the Health Services Industry from 12% to 6% in one year. He acted as liaison for the Cost of Living Council, Price Commission and Pay Board and worked closely with the entire Health Industry in enlisting their full cooperation. Prior to entering government service in 1970, he was a management analyst for a major management consulting firm. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mr. Delaney received his B.S. in Economics from Villanova University and his Master of Science degree from the George Washington University. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. Mr. Delaney is married to the former Florence Cannon and resides with their four children in Falls Church, Virginia. GERATO FORD June 1975 WALTER V. KALLAUR Deputy Director Mr. Kallaur has served as a program officer in the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration since July 1973. Prior to that assignment, Mr. Kallaur served in the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Executive Office of the President, with principal assignments in the fields of wage-price stabilization, disaster assistance, public information and financial administration. From 1967 to 1971, Mr. Kallaur served in the United States Army. Mr. Kallaur was born in Graz, Austria, on September 25, 1944. He received an AB from Harvard College in History. Mr. Kallaur is married to the former Carolita Unman, of Stratford, Connecticut, and they reside in Washington, D. C. FORD & LIBRARY 95 NOEL C. KOCH Mr. Koch has been a Vice President of Occidental International Corporation since November 1, 1974. Prior to joining Occidental, Mr. Koch was a Special Assistant to Presidents Ford and Nixon. He joined the White House after serving as Special Assistant to Postmaster General Winton M. Blount from August 1969 to January 1971. Before coming to Washington, Mr. Koch was the Executive Director of the National Society of Fund Raisers. He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1963, including one year in Vietnam as a military advisor. Mr. Koch was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 29, 1939. He received a B.A. in English from Pennsylvania Military College, and an M.A. in International Relations from Bryn Mawr College. He is married to Dr. June Quint Koch, formerly of Brooklyn, New York. They have two children and reside in Potomac, Maryland. # # # FORD & LIBRARY 078836 / FRANK W. DANIEL Mr. Daniel has served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Labor for Public Affairs. Also as a consultant to the Departments of Transportation, Commerce and at present is a consultant in the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury. Prior to government service Mr. Daniel was Field Coordinator for two National Political Campaigns. From 1966 to 1971 he was involved in Marketing, Control Planning and Sales Analysis for several corporations. Mr. Daniel was born in Montgomery, Alabama, May 12, 1944. He attended the University of Alabama from 1962 to 1966, Business and Political Science and the Department of Agriculture, Graduate School - courses in the "The Congressional System. " Mr. Daniel is married to the former Sue Miller of Montgomery, Alabama. They reside in McLean, Virginia. GERALD FORD LIBRARY \ D. DAVID MORIN Mr. Morin is a White House Summer Intern working as a member of the President's Advisory Committee on Refugees Staff. He will be a senior at the University of Colorado this fall, and plans to attend the American Graduate School of International Management for his graduate studies. Mr. Morin was raised in southern California and is a graduate of Hollywood High School. Last summer he worked with Sudan Interior Missions in Niger and Dahomey on famine relief and hospital construction. FORD & GERALD LIBRARY CARL T. CURTIS COMMITTEES: NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY FINANCE JOINT COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL REVENUE United States Senate TAXATION SELECT COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND CONDUCT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 CHAIRMAN OF REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE June 6, 1975 Dr. Theodore C. Marrs Special Assistant to the President The White House Washington, D. C. 20500 Dear Dr. Marrs: It is my understanding that you are accepting applications of persons applying for positions in connection with the work of the President's Advisory Committee on Refugees until Ambassador Eisenhower's office is set up. Dr. Sara Penick has applied to you by letter of May 29 for a position teaching English to Vietnamese refugees. Robert F. Martin, an attorney I have known for years and whose judgment I highly respect, has written to me in her behalf. I thought you should have the benefit of his letter. It is enclosed, along with a copy of Dr. Penick's letter to you and a copy of her resume. With my thanks for your consideration, I am Sincerely yours, CARL T. CURTIS, USS CTC/mg Encs. in FORD LIBRARY O'HANLON & MARTIN LAWYERS 1569 WASHINGTON STREET BLAIR, NEBRASKA 68008 CLARK O'HANLON, SR. 1869-1940 AREA CODE 402 PHILIP O'HANLON, 1905-1965 TELEPHONE 426-2115 REED O'HANLON SR. 1893-1969 CLARK O'HANLON ROBERT F. MARTIN May 30, 1975 JOHN R. O'HANLON The Honorable Carl T. Curtis Senator from Nebraska Washington, D.C. Dear Senator Curtis: Thank you for your call back concerning Dr. Sarah Penick and her wish to be employed teaching English to the Vietnamese. I have enclosed a copy of her letter and resume, which she has sent to Dr. Marrs in accordance with your instructions. As you can see, she is quite well qualified both academically and particularly in the French language. My understanding is that French is as widely spoken in South Vietnam as is South Vietnamese. I think it would be fortunate for the program to assist the Vietnamese if Dr. Penick could be so employed because as well as having the proper academic credentials, she certainly has the com- passion for other people as such employment would involve. My under- standing is that President Ford has recently signed into law a bill authorizing expenditures of roughly four hundred million dollars for the orientation and settlement of the Vietnamese, to include instruct- ing them in English. Dr. Penick is in the unique position as a single woman of being able to act immediately to fill what I am sure is an immediate need. I would appreciate it if you could mention to Dr. Marrs the possibility of Dr. Penick obtaining a position teaching English to the Vietnamese. It would be for the betterment of our country, and the Vietnamese, if she could obtain this teaching position. Thank you for your assistance, concern, and help to your constituents. Sincerely yours, Robert Martin FORD LIBRARY & GERALD Robert F. Martin RFM/cah Enclosure FOR YOUR INFORMATION Route 1 Armstrong, Missouri 65230 May 29, 1975 Dr. Theodore C. Marrs Special Assistant to the President The White House Washington, D. C. 20500 Dear Dr. Marrs: Senator Curtis has advised me to write to you, as I am interested in teaching English to the Vietnamese refugees. In 1961 I was a laboratory assistant in the English Language Institute at Park College; most of our students were from Asia and the Middle East. During the summer of 1964 I taught in an intensive French- language program as instructor for the United States Government French West Africa Training Program. At the present time I am Associate Professor of French at Dana College, Blair, Nebraska. A brief resume is enclosed, but of course I will be happy to fur- nish any further information. Thank you. Yours truly, Sarah m. Perick Sarah M. Penick CC: Senator Carl T. Curtis LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD NAME: Sarah Marianne Penick DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: November 8, 1941 Kansas City, Missouri EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND 1962 BA French and Spanish, cum laude Park College Parkville, Missouri 1960-61 study at Sorbonne Certificat de Prononciation Francaise 1963 MA French University of Missouri at Columbia 1967 PhD French University of Missouri at Columbia PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND 1961 Laboratory Assistant English Language Institute Park College Parkville, Missouri Summer, 1964 Instructor I Peace Corps French West Africa Training Program Oberlin College Oberlin, Ohio Summer, 1965 Lecturer, French University of Wyoming at Laramie 1962-1966 Instructor in French University of Missouri at Columbia 1966 - Associate Professor of French Dana College Blair, Nebraska FORD & GERALD LIBRARY THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 9, 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR: CHAIRMAN JOHN S. D. EISENHOWER MEMBERS, PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REFUGEES FROM: ROGER D. SEMERAD RD SUBJECT: Talking Points and Briefing Materials Additional information for your use. 1. Education/Health/Welfare and Medical Assistance 2. Sponsor Guidelines 3. State and Local Government Group Sponsorship 4. Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers (Updated) 5. Advisory Committee Staff 6. National Denominational Resettlement Officers for Refugee/Evacuees - 1975 7. Directors of Diocesan Resettlement Committees The next two Committee Meeting dates will be June 25, 1975 and July 23, 1975. GEBALD R.FORD R. EDUCATION 1. Language Training at the Reception Centers Language training is presently being provided by personnel of the voluntary agencies at the centers, other volunteers, and by Federal and State education personnel. In instances where a State does not have the capability of mounting a complete program or where it is otherwise inappropriate for the State to do so, the Department will provide language training directly through a private contractor. 2. Other Education and Training Activities at the Reception Centers The Department of Labor in cooperation with State and local manpower/employment agencies is presently pro- viding job counseling to all heads of households desiring such assistance. The counselors advise on needed retrain- ing or updating of job credentials. This service also includes information on employment possibilities in the areas to which they will be moving, using the Department of Labor's Job Bank which lists job openings nationwide categorized by geographical skill and type of job. 3. School Districts Enrolling Large Numbers of Refugee Children In order to provide transitional assistance to school districts enrolling high concentrations of refugees, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare is developing procedures to help defray special costs which may be incurred, particularly for English language instruction. These procedures will be developed in the very near future, in time to assist local school districts in their planning for the coming school year. 4. Services for School Districts A national clearinghouse for information on special teaching resources and materials is now being established. It will disseminate information to States and school dis- tricts describing materials and resources which are par- ticularly appropriate for the language instruction and cultural orientation of the refugee children. In instances GERALD CERALD R. FORD -2- where teaching materials have been designed especially to meet the needs of these children, the clearinghouse will distribute these materials directly to the States and school districts. 5. Student Assistance to Refugees Wishing to Pursue Postsecondary Education The Basic Educational Opportunity Grants (BEOG) program and the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program, which provide direct financial assistance to college, university, and postsecondary vocational students pur- suing their studies at accredited institutions, will be available to refugees who meet the requirements of the programs. These funding opportunities will also be available for Vietnamese and Cambodian students who were studying in this country at the time of the fall of their respective governments and who wish to remain here. HEALTH Health problems which exceed the capabilities of on-site medical resources are the responsibility of the Public Health Service. Public Health Service Hospitals and Clinics have been designated to provide or arrange and pay for necessary off-site health care, and specific Public Health Service Hospitals at San Francisco, New Orleans, and Baltimore have been designated as the referral units for the reception centers. When required services are not available in Public Health Service facilities or when other considerations, such as separation of a family unit are involved, care may be authorized by Public Health Service contract or in other community facilities. Upon release from the reception centers and resettle- ment in communities, direct responsibility for medical services to the Indochinese refugees by the Department of Defense and Public Health Services terminates, and health care must be obtained through community resources and facilities. In those cases where the refugees with the help of their sponsors are unable to obtain health insurance, State Medical Assistance is available to cover medical CERALO FORD (TREAD) -3- services. Sponsors can assist the refugee in register- ing for medical assistance at local agencies where exist- ing State eligibility criteria regarding the income and assets of the refugee will be applied. WELFARE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE The Department of Health, Education and Welfare encourages maximum coordination between State agencies, private organizations, and sponsors in the resettlement effort. In this way, coordinated efforts can be developed and maximum utilization made of private and voluntary efforts to help the refugees become self-supporting resi- dents of the State. However, in order to meet the emer- gency needs of refugees if sponsorship arrangements do not work out, and to avoid a burden on State or local resources, welfare and medical assistance will be made available to refugees with little or no income or resources regardless of the composition of the family. Under the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975, the Social and Rehabilitation Service of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare will pro- vide States with 100 percent reimbursement for welfare and medical assistance to needy Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees. Full reimbursement will also be provided for administrative costs incurred by State welfare agencies in the provision of such assistance. In addition, within limitations to be defined, 100 percent reimbursement will be provided for social services which are intended to enable refugees to become self-supporting. To avoid complete breakdowns in the sponsorship of refugees, medical assistance will be made available to needy refugees even though they do not receive financial assistance. This will enable a sponsor who may not be able to meet major medical needs which occur to continue to provide food, maintenance, shelter, and help in securing employment for a refugee family. In general, the eligibility of refugees for welfare and medical assistance will be based on the same standards of need as apply to other residents of the State, and the amount of assistance provided will be based on the levels BERALD FORD -4- - of payments made under the State's program of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) . Full guidelines on welfare and medical assistance will be provided to the States early next week. & FORD GERALD SPONSORSHIP With certain exceptions, refugees require sponsors to assist in ensuring that the refugees do not become public charges and to help each refugee make the transition from refugee to a self-sufficient member of his community. Sponsorship can take the form of an offer of support, employment or both. However, the sponsor must also be ready to help the refugee with some of the less tangible aspects of resettlement such as adjustment to a new culture and a new way of life. Sponsorship is not a formal, legal commitment. However, the sponsor under- takes a clear moral commitment to help the refugee to the best of his ability. A sponsor, working through an appropriate voluntary agency, state or local government unit will be expected to: 1. Receive the refugee and his family; 2. Provide shelter and food, until the refugee becomes self-sufficient. Shelter need not be in the residence of the sponsor but must be adequate; 3. Provide clothing and pocket money; 4. Provide assistance in finding employment and in school enrollment for children; 5. Cover ordinary medical costs or medical insurance. In order to meet emergency needs, refugee families who are eligible may obtain medical assistance through state Medicaid programs. This assistance, however, in no way abrogates a sponsor's moral obligation to provide normal health assistance for refugee families. Once employment is obtained, the sponsor will assist the refugee to locate permanent housing, acquire minimal furniture and arrange for other necessities. FORD & BERALD LIBRARY MODEL FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT GROUP SPONSORSHIPS 1. AGREEMENT TO INITIATE GROUP SPONSORSHIP As a first step, State and local governments inter- ested in undertaking group sponsorship should bring together political, business, union, church and voluntary leadership to decide: --- if group sponsorship is desirable, -- what numbers of refugees can best be absorbed into the area or community (e.g. some con- siderations are labor market, housing availability, and community services), -- how to organize a task force or appropriate mechanism to coordinate the group sponsorship. If there is enough leadership consensus to move forward, an initial contact should be made with the President's Interagency Task Force (202-632-3172) 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF A REFUGEE TASK FORCE Having agreed to initiate group sponsorship, and after preliminary discussions with the Task Force, an operational coordinating body, representative of public and private sector organizations, should be established to set up procedures in the context of a proposal to be discussed in person with the civil CERALD FORD -2- coordinator of the resettlement center nearest you. 3. PROPOSAL DISCUSSION WITH TASK FORCE The proposal will be reviewed and discussed with the Chief Civilian Coordinator and his senior staff at the resettlement center. If approved by this group the State or local representative returns to his or her homesite. 4. IDENTIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF SPONSORSHIP The State or local Task Force should set up a system to solicit sponsorships. Such offers need to be checked in order to certify the ability of sponsor volunteers to perform sponsorship responsibilities. Once an adequate number of certified sponsorship offers. are certified a Task Force representative should return to the Resettlement Center. 5. SIGN MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Memorandum between the State or local official and the three Interagency Task Force officials will be signed confirming the terms of the group sponsorship policies and procedures. FOR GERALD -3- 6. SELECT REFUGEES AND ASSIST IN TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS With the assistance of the Civil Coordinator Staff, the State/local representative will select refugees to participate in the group sponsorship and arrange for transportation. The costs of transportation of refugee families from the Resettlement Center to the sponsors' locations will be borne by the Federal Government. 7. SUGGESTIONS State or local governments may wish to consider formation of a non-profit organization to administer the resettlement program. The possibility of receiving tax-deductible contribu- tions to defray non-reimbursable administrative expenses might be explored with the Internal Revenue Service. -- In calling for sponsorship offers, the State or local organization should concentrate on identifying actual family sponsors, but should encourage individual offers of housing, employ- ment, clothing, etc. as part of the total sponsorship program. These latter types of offers can be matched with possible requirements of individual family sponsors. FOR GERALD MODEL FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATION SPONSORSHIP Organizations who wish to sponsor a number of refugees may wish to use the following procedure and checklist in preparing a program. A. Undertake a survey to determine the number and kinds of jobs available in the community for the refugees. B. Determine the approximate number of families who will undertake the temporary housing and feeding of the newly arrived families. This may also be done on a community basis where two or three families living in adjacent houses could handle a large family by splitting the housing and support burden. Another plan could utilize public and private facilities such as unused college housing and messing facilities or other centrally located buildings for group support maintenance. C. Sub-committees should be formed to handle on the single-point of contact basis the following logistics. 1. Contact with the local voluntary agency being asked to process the families (Tab A list). Liaison with the relocation center providing the refugees. FORD & GERALD LIBRARY -2- Meeting refugees at airports or bus stations and providing transport to sponsoring family. 2. General orientation to refugee families such as the "welcome wagon" concept. Collection of clothing and other life support items donated by the community. 3. Central point of contact for refugees seeking employment. Telephone assistance for appointments, etc. 4. Briefings and assistance regarding taxes - deductions - medical insurance, etc. Obtaining driving permits - enrollment of children in schools. 5. Permanent housing assistance. When employment is secured by the refugee and he begins to have an income, the securing of permanent housing is a major step on his road to self-sufficiency. HUD projects, FHA support, and/or community-supported loans or rentals may be considered. When your organization has familiarized itself with the above requirements soon to be needed by the refugee it is then time to contact one or more of the volunteer organizations. Your FORD GERALD -3- local chapter of a voluntary organization is the place to start. Discuss with this local office the type of individuals, skills and quantity of refugees your organi- zation is capable of handling. We suggest your organization picks out a planning figure based on your survey. If say, 100 families are possible to resettle in your area, start with 10 families until you gain experience. You can always go back for more. Major objective of your efforts must be to assist the refugee to become self-sufficient and prevent him from becoming a public charge. & FORD GERALD