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Indochina Refugees - President's Advisory Committee: Meeting, 6/25/75 (2)
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19077076
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Indochina Refugees - President's Advisory Committee: Meeting, 6/25/75 (2)
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Theodore C. Marrs Files (Ford Administration)
Theodore Marrs' General Subject Files
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The original documents are located in Box 11, folder "Indochina Refugees - President's
Advisory Committee: Meeting, 6/25/75 (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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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
STATE
OF 1HE THE OF WASHINGTON O SEAL
STATE OF WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
OLYMPIA
VIETNAMESE
REFUGEE
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
DANIEL J. EVANS
GOVERNOR
FORD & LIBRARY CERALD
STATE OF WASHINGTON
VIETNAMESE REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
CONTENTS
Introduction: Vietnamese Assistance Program
1
Washington State Department of Emergency Services
Choosing a site
2
Camp supervision
3
Clothing bank
3
Preparation of meals
3
Vietnamese: their right of privacy
3
Transportation
4
Volunteer agency involvement
4
Medical needs
4
Asian-American information and counseling
5
Vietnamese Service Center
5-6
Educational needs
6-7
Public information
7-8
Department of Social and Health Services
Recruitment of refugees
9-10
Recruitment and evaluation of sponsorship
10-12
Assistance Center processing
12-15
Follow-up placement survey
15
Department of Employment Security
Intake interviewing process
16
Application for employment
17
Project Pioneer
17-18
Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA)
19
STATE OF WASHINGTON
VIETNAMESE REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
In late April, Governor Daniel Evans was contacted by the United
States State Department about the possible relocation and resettlement
of Vietnamese refugees in the State of Washington. The refugees were
among several thousand being temporarily housed at Camp Pendleton,
California. The Governor had previously indicated the state's willing-
ness to participate in the refugee resettlement effort and, at a sched-
uled news briefing on May 8, 1975, announced his intention to bring
500 Vietnamese refugees into the State of Washington for assistance
and permanent placement.
Before making his formal announcement, Governor Evans appointed
the director of the Washington State Department of Emergency Services
overall coordinator of the state program. Utilizing existing Depart-
ment of Emergency Services (DES) personnel, the project coordinator
began laying the groundwork for the arrival of Washington's "new
citizens."
Three Washington State agencies became directly involved in the
resettlement of Vietnamese refugees. The Department of Emergency Serv-
ices assumed the responsibility for maintaining and coordinating the
newly created Vietnamese Assistance Program. The Department of Social
and Health Services was designated by DES to process refugee families
for economic and social needs and coordinate the sponsorship program.
The Department of Employment Security was called upon to interview
-1-
previously employed refugees for complete employment history evalua-
tion, possible job placement and general career counseling once spon-
sorship was secured.
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
The chief for the Department of Emergency Services, Disaster
Relief Division, was appointed by the overall coordinator to direct
the organization and administration of the state Vietnamese Resettle-
ment Program. (See attachment #1.)
L. Dean Brown, director of the President's Indochina Interagency
Task Force, informed the Governor by telegram that all costs to the
state for resettlement, to include health, income maintenance and social
services, would be reimbursed by the federal government.
The director and his immediate staff control all purchases and
contracts for the center (e.g., food, supplies, vehicles, etc.).
One of the most important immediate decisions was choosing a
suitable site for the assistance center with adjacent housing facili-
ties for the refugees. A National Guard facility at Camp Murray near
Tacoma, Washington, was selected for the center, primarily for its
central location. Temporary living units were made available to the
refugees by refurbishing 13 cottages, designed to house a maximum of
125 persons. The cottages are located approximately 1/2 mile from the
center offices in a quiet, wooded setting. The living area is located
away from the center to avoid creating the sort of large and unwieldy
"holding area" that is found in other refugee camps and to ensure that
-2-
closer, more personal attention is given to each refugee. A cafeteria,
dispensary, recreation area and clothing bank are also located within
the living area.
The living area is supervised by a "camp director" and a small
staff to assist the refugee families throughout their temporary stay
at Camp Murray. The living area personnel consult with refugees on
specific problems of resettlement, work with kitchen personnel to
assure Vietnamese input on all meals, handle maintenance of the living
area and keep unauthorized persons out of the area.
Clothing is a most important need to most of the refugees enter-
ing the state. Shoes and infants' and children's clothing seem to be
in greatest demand. The Salvation Army, working in cooperation with
other volunteer agencies, established a clothing bank near the living
area to meet their most immediate needs.
Meals are another important area of concern. DES personnel
work closely with the cooks to check key details (e.g., specific type
of rice and seasonings). The Vietnamese women have been very helpful
in consulting on the meals that are prepared.
Particular attention has been given to the privacy of Vietnamese
entering the State of Washington. The Department of Emergency Services
stationed a security officer at the entrance and exit of the living
area. Persons without appropriate passes will not be allowed inside
the area, including news media personnel (see attachment #2).
FORD
-3-
LIBRAR
Refugees arrive in the state on commercial air flights from
California. They are greeted by representatives from the American
Red Cross and DES interpreters who direct the refugees to a waiting
chartered bus for the 30-minute ride to Camp Murray from Seattle-
Tacoma Airport.
The Red Cross coordinates the activities of all the volunteer
agencies that are involved in the Vietnamese Assistance Program. Red
Cross staff persons also assist the refugees in locating missing
relatives and close friends. The YMCA provides recreational activi-
ties at the living area and supervises children whose parents are
being processed through the center.
Emergency Services personnel work closely with the Red Cross
and county health authorities to meet the medical needs of refugees
at Camp Murray. In the camp dispensary refugees can get counseling
on family planning, well-child examinations, dental hygiene and medi-
cal assistance from trained volunteers. A registered nurse was em-
ployed by DES to staff the dispensary and coordinate medical dossiers
for each refugee. The dossiers are then integrated into the social
service delivery process once placement has been attained.
The Washington State Council of Churches established a resettle-
ment network to ensure information sharing among church groups. The
WSCC has been most effective in helping to find sponsors for larger
refugee families and providing necessary resources (e.g., cooking
utensils, furniture) to families that have been placed. DES staff
-4-
provide updated information on family placements and specific needs
to the council on a regular basis.
Minimizing physical and cultural isolation for the refugees
once settled in local communities is one of the program's most impor-
tant long-term objectives. An Asian-American Information and Counsel-
ing Section was established in the Vietnamese Assistance Center to
help refugees identify resources within the Asian Community. The
Asian-American Section is staffed cooperatively by representatives
from several Asian organizations and bilingual DES personnel. Working
with Asian-American staff, the refugees can obtain accurate informa-
tion on classes in English as a second language, sponsors to provide
cultural information and counseling for the refugee and his sponsor.
The Asian-American Section, in many respects, can be to the
refugee an independent source for needs assessment. Personnel from
the section work to keep lines of communication between refugees and
center staff open and accessible.
The Asian organizations working in the section intend to assist
the refugees in long-term resettlement long after the Vietnamese
Assistance Center is closed, although their resources are very limited.
A Vietnamese Service Center was establihsed in Seattle by DES
to provide a central meeting place for all Vietnamese citizens living
-5-
in the Seattle area. The center has regular English instruction (be-
ginning and intermediate levels), a 24-hour crisis line, a Summer Youth
Work Study Program, and some available short-term housing.
Meeting the educational needs of Vietnamese refugees is one of
the most important comprehensive goals of the state resettlement effort.
Department of Emergency Services staff have identified current educa-
tional needs as follows:
1. A pre-school program for children ages 6-14 prior to their
entry into the public school system in September;
2. A program for the public school systems during the academic
year 1975-76;
3. Preparatory English classes for age group 15-25 for entry
into state universities and colleges;
4. Adult English classes for consumer and community education
and courses in English as a second language.
Utilizing existing school facilities, a statewide program to
provide language skills and preliminary reading for ages 6-14 is sched-
uled to begin no later than July 7, 1975. Coordination for the effort
will be handled by DES working in cooperation with the Washington State
Superintendent of Public Instruction office. Initial instruction for
the program will be provided by volunteer teachers qualified in English
as a second language and bilingual skills. Teachers in the program
will be supported by local Asian-American groups.
-6-
An agreement has been made with Washington State's Public
Broadcasting affiliate, KCTS (Channel 9, Seattle) to produce an
orientation video presentation for use by schools throughout the
state at the beginning of the fall term. The presentation will em-
phasize consumer education, cultural needs and the necessity for com-
munity support and encouragement for the Vietnamese. An educational
television series is also being planned for English as a second lang-
uage designed for Vietnamese unable to attend regular classes.
A Vietnamese Education Resource and Information Section has
been established at Camp Murray to develop a more comprehensive pro-
gram covering all planned and existing Vietnamese related educational
programs in the state. The section is designed to prevent duplication,
handle inquiries and deal with problems.
A pilot project has been launched to assist Vietnamese interested
in entering colleges and universities in learning English as a second
language. The course will be taught over an eight-week period and in-
volve some 30 Vietnamese. Several colleges have expressed an interest
in developing similar programs within their geographical areas when
funding is available.
A public information officer is important to the overall program
development and visibility. An information coordinator was assigned
out of the Governor's office to work with news media representatives, to
provide accurate information concerning camp procedures, make informa-
tion available on placements and camp population and act as a spokesman
for the resettlement effort.
-7-
News representatives in Washington State have been very co-
operative in providing coverage to meet the crucial needs of sponsor-
ship recruitment and in defining program objectives.
-8-
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
Specially assigned caseworkers and other staff persons were
stationed at Camp Murray to work with Vietnamese refugee families and
potential American sponsors to ensure meaningful placement in the
community. The DSHS role in the Washington State Vietnamese Assistance
project is to assist in the recruitment of refugees from Camp Pendleton
for participation in the state program, recruitment and screening of
sponsors to assist the Vietnamese in resettlement, and processing of
the Vietnamese at the assistance center to determine specific social
and economic needs.
Recruitment of Refugees
Once the formal announcement of refugee resettlement was made
by the Governor, two staff representatives were assigned to Camp
Pendleton to assist in the processing of the 500 refugees that would
eventually arrive in Washington State. An invitation was issued by
the state's representatives to refugees quartered in one of the eight
"tent cities" established at Camp Pendleton. Within two hours, well
over 1000 refugees had applied for permanent placement in Washington
State. An entry form was created for refugee families expressing a
desire to participate in the program and relocate in the State of
Washington. The form was designed to elicit information for use in
processing once the family reached their temporary facilities at
-9-
Camp Murray. The entry form requested the following background in-
formation:
1. Names of family members and other individuals requesting
permanent placement in Washington State;
2. The sex, age and relationship to applicant of each indi-
vidual listed on the application form;
3. Educational attainment, occupation and vocational skills
of each adult, or grade in school or college of each child
or young adult;
4. Degree of fluency in English, French and Chinese of each
individual listed on the application form;
5. Financial status of each family unit;
6. Health care needs of individuals listed on the form.
The selection of 500 of the 1000 applicants was made at random
by state staff personnel assigned to Camp Pendleton. Plans were im-
mediately made to begin transporting the refugees into the state in
groups of 100. However, the length of time taken to obtain security
clearance from Camp Pendleton for the refugees has prevented the state
from bringing in the larger groups.
Recruitment and Evaluation of Sponsorship Offers
Each Vietnamese family receives an American sponsoring family
or organization before its departure from Camp Murray. Sponsors for
the Vietnamese are being recruited through comprehensive use of the
news media, to include public service announcements, and contacts with
-10-
churches, service organizations, labor unions and other community
interest groups. Sponsors are being recruited for the program to meet
specific needs of adjustment for the Vietnamese as they settle per-
manently in the state. Potential sponsors are asked to apply at local
public assistance offices to ensure thorough screening and evaluation.
"Home Study Interview" forms were distributed to local public assistance
offices throughout the state and local administrators were asked to
designate a staff person to process each incoming sponsorship offer.
The "Home Study Interview" is designed to present a clear view
to the potential sponsor of his moral responsibility to a refugee
family. The caseworker discusses specific needs including transpor-
tation, housing, employment and general on-going consultation with
the Vietnamese throughout the resettlement period. The caseworker
determines the validity of the sponsorship offer and the completed
interview form is mailed directly to Camp Murray for sponsor-refugee
match.
The types of sponsorships needed are:
1. Those that provide complete support; i.e., subsistence,
housing assistance and employment;
2. Moral support -- taking the role of a friend in helping to
locate employment, housing and community resources;
3. Contributions of specific goods and/or services.
-11-
Individual Washington families as well as community organiza-
tions are encouraged to sponsor Vietnamese refugees in resettlement.
In many instances a community group can provide more direct assistance
to a larger Vietnamese family during the resettlement process. Spon-
sorship offers are also accepted by DSHS staff stationed at Camp
Murray, although the sponsorship inquiry is immediately referred to
the nearest local public assistance office for the Home Study Interview.
Assistance Center Processing to Determine Social and Economic Needs
The morning following their arrival in Washington State, refu-
gees are given a complete orientation to the DSHS/Employment Security
activities that take place at the Vietnamese Assistance Center. The
orientation is conducted by staff persons fluent in Vietnamese to
ensure complete understanding by the "new citizens." Several Viet-
namese refugees have been employed by the center to serve as inter-
preters and assist in the interviewing of families. A thorough de-
scription of state demographics and the nature of the sponsorship role
in resettlement is also discussed. Each refugee family is assigned
an interviewing schedule for public assistance, employment counseling
and sponsorship at the conclusion of the orientation.
Refugees with insufficient incomes or resources to meet their
needs can apply for direct assistance (financial, medical and related
social services) at the Vietnamese Assistance Center. According to
their schedules, refugee families are interviewed by Social and Health
-12-
Services caseworkers and Welfare Eligibility examiners during a one-
hour confidential interview. Eligible refugees receive a one-month's
income maintenance grant and six months of medical coverage upon de-
parture from the camp with their sponsors. They are also given the
address and telephone number of the public assistance office nearest
their sponsor's home and advised to make an immediate application for
participation in the Food Stamp Program.
Each public assistance office has a designated caseworker to
assist the refugee family during its resettlement in the community.
Refugees are encouraged to contact the public assistance office if
any problem should arise.
Once the evaluation component is completed by DSHS and a one-
hour interview held with Employment Security, refugees meet with
sponsorship counselors to determine the type of sponsor required to
meet their specific needs.
Before the sponsor-refugee matching process begins, sponsorship
counselors determine specific needs such as (1) geographic and labor
market preference and (2) preference for locating near a particular
refugee family or ethnic or religious group.
With the refugee family's preferences outlined, the sponsorship
counselor begins examining the index of approved sponsor referrals
that correspond to the size of the family in need of placement. Spon-
sors meeting the appropriate labor market and geographical, ethnic or
religious preferences of the refugee family are selected and shown to
the refugee and a match is suggested.
-13-
If the refugee family finds no objections to the suggested
match, the potential sponsor is contacted and the information con-
tained in his dossier (submitted by the local public assistance office)
is verified. Arrangements are made with the sponsor to accept the
arrival of the refugee family within 48 hours of initial contact, or,
at either the refugee's or the sponsor's request, a visitation pending
a final decision is arranged. Arrangements are made for the refugee
family to receive a public assistance warrant at 4 p.m. on the day of
departure or within 24 hours, unless the family is not eligible and
can maintain on its own assets.
Transportation is made available to the refugee family from
Camp Murray to the sponsor's home. The local public assistance office
will be in contact with the refugee family within 48 hours of arrival
in the community to ensure a smooth transition. A home visit will be
made by the designated caseworker within 7 days.
In all cases it has been made very clear that the sponsor has
no legal responsibility for the refugee; however, the sponsor does
assume a moral obligation to assist the refugee in resettlement.
Sponsors may also designate a time frame during which sponsorship
will be assumed.
Throughout the refugee placement period, caseworkers from Camp
Murray and staff persons from local public assistance offices have
been making in-home visits to refugee families and their sponsors.
The follow-up visits have shown that most of the placements thus far
-14-
made in the state effort have been viable and without incident. Case-
workers conducting the follow-up interviews utilize a questionnaire
designed to bring out problems in communication, housing, employment
referral and family service needs.
A significant majority of the refugees currently at the camp and
those who are awaiting transfer from Camp Pendleton are skilled admin-
istrators, craftsmen, professionals and clerical support personnel.
It is not anticipated that they will remain on assistance for an ex-
tended period of time.
Visits were made by a Vietnamese interpreter and a social serv-
ice caseworker to the first 350 refugees and their sponsors to ascer-
tain specific problems in settlement and progress thus far. The com-
piled results of the interviews are as follows:
Number of families placed (6-12-75)
55
Number of families visited
51 (93% of total)
Number of sponsors
46
Number of refugees in families visited
242
Number of families with one or more
members employed
15 (30%)
Number of families presently in
independent housing
17 (33%)
Number of families receiving public
assistance grants
36 (70%)
Number of families expressing a need
for English and vocational education
51 (100%)
Number of families expressing
FO
satisfaction with the program
51 (100%)
-15-
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY
Refugees seeking employment in Washington are being thoroughly
interviewed by Employment Security (ES) staff counselors assigned to
the Assistance Center during the resettlement effort. ES personnel
maintain control over job orders coming into the center, work with em-
ployers in establishing on-going employment for refugees, assist in
the development of employment training programs for refugees, and assist
refugees in preparing job applications and resumés.
Upon completion of processing through the Department of Social
and Health Services section, those refugees concerned with employment
are interviewed by an employment counselor at the center. During the
interview the refugee's educational background, employment interest and
employment experience are discussed and evaluated for application in
the state.
At the time of the interview, if a specific job does exist that
corresponds to the skills of the refugee, arrangements are made to have
the refugee meet with the potential employer. However, employers usually
ask for several interviews spaced several days apart, and, by arranging
employment interviews prior to sponsorship, the refugee could find him-
self with a potential job in one part of the state and a sponsor in
another area. Clear lines of communication between ES personnel and
those working on sponsorship are kept open to deal with conflicts as
they arise.
-16-
A Vietnamese employment application (see attachment #3), with
appropriate English translation, is forwarded to the local Employment
Security office nearest the sponsor's home when the refugee leaves
Camp Murray. The local ES office contacts the refugee once settled
and a follow-up form is sent to Camp Murray. The local office also
contacts the refugee by telephone and a letter, written in Vietnamese,
explaining how to use the ES office is sent as well.
Employment Security staff at the center do not attempt to find
immediate employment for the Vietnamese until after placement with a
sponsoring family or organization. Local ES offices have assumed the
responsibility for job development and on-going placement needs.
Very few individuals can be placed in jobs immediately. How-
ever, the skill level of the refugees, combined with demonstrated job
stability and eagerness to work, suggests good prospects for employment.
The job orders called to the camp during the initial stages were gen-
erally inappropriate to the skill level of the refugees. An abundance
of domestic and some farm orders were received which have yet to be
filled. Many of the orders appeared to be exploitive and were im-
mediately disregarded.
In Seattle, an equal-opportunities center program called "Project
Pioneer" was initiated by Employment Security and other related employ-
ment organizations to provide employment orientation, training and re-
ferral, job development and placement for employable Vietnamese persons.
-17-
Project Pioneer objectives supplement the employment goals of local
ES offices. Staff persons also provide cultural/social orientation,
counseling, and one-year follow up services to Vietnamese families to
aid in resettlement efforts, as well as helping the employable family
members maintain employment.
Project Pioneer will begin on June 30 to serve at least 100
families over a period of 12 months. Upon enrollment in the program,
individuals are assessed as to their job readiness, fluency in English,
and their projected ability to adapt to living in this country.
All individuals enrolled in the program will participate in an
employment and cultural orientation for at least two weeks. At the
beginning of the third week, those individuals who are assessed to be
job ready will be involved in (1) more intensive job development, (2)
employment interviews, and (3) placement.
For those individuals who are not in the "job-ready" category,
the third week is spent in a continuation of the orientation session.
At the end of the third week, a determination is made concerning (1)
employment placement potential, (2) additional skill training require-
ments, and/or (3) English training requirements. Project Pioneer staff
are prepared to refer Vietnamese clients to appropriate vocational
training or English-as-a-second-language classes in the community. At
the present time, the majority of the Vietnamese citizens that will be
participating in Project Pioneer are already sponsored and living in
the Seattle area.
-18-
Employment Security section staff have also met with the Puget
Sound Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA) prime sponsors to
determine if CETA programs can be utilized to assist refugees. The
prime sponsors reported that funding for their current programs is not
adequate at this time unless additional CETA monies for refugees can
be made available.
-19-
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONAL FLOW CHART
Center Director
Governor's
ATTACHMENT #1
Liaison
Office Management
Public Information Officer
Administrative Officer
Plant Operation
Metropolitan Area
Department of Social
Military
Support
Education
Employment
Service Centers
and Health Services
Services
Security
Health
Red Cross
Food
Voluntary Action
Security
Community Service Groups
Living Area
Asian-American Affairs
Supply Purchasing
Transportation
ATTACHMENT #2
RIGHT OF PRIVACY IF APPROACHED BY PRESS PERSONNEL
1. There is a sincere and legitimate media interest in the processing which
is being conducted here at Camp Murray.
2. Many representatives from newspapers, television and radio will want to
talk to you and photograph you.
3. Authorities here will make every effort to insure maximum disclosure of
procedural information.
4. You are not required to talk to them, nor may they photograph you with-
out your permission; however, you may talk to them and permit them to photo-
graph you if you wish.
5. You have a right to your personal privacy and we will work to insure
that privacy as you desire.
6. If you agree to talk to them or be photographed, please so indicate to
the escort officer.
QUYEN LOI KIN DAO KHI GIAO THIEP VOI DAI DIEN THONG TIN XÁ
1. Dai dien thong tin xa có quyen ldi chanh dang va thanh that chu y den
các hoat dong & Trai Murray.
2. có nhieu 5a1 dien bao chi. TV va radio mu6n chup hinh và thao luan voi
quy vi.
3. Nha cam quyen day se het suc cho thong tin xã biêt het vè cac tin tuc
hoat dong Trai.
4. Quy vi khong b1 bat bugc noi chuyen vdi cac dai dien nay và ho cung
khong dudc chup hinh quy vf nêu quy vi khong cho phep; tuy nhien, quy vi
muðn noi chuyen hay chyp hiňh thi dugc.
5, Tuy nhien, quy v1 cung có quyen kin dao cá nhân va chung tdi co gang
bao dám kin dao nay theo y quy vi cho hay.
6. Neu quy vi bang long noi chuyen hoac chup hinh, quy vi nên cho sI
quan thong tin biet.
ATTACHMENT # 3
DON XIN VIEC
(Lam on viet chu in)
TEN só LAM HIEN TAI HAY QUÁ KHÚ:
NGAY BAT DAU:
NGAY NGHI VIEC:
LUONG BONG:
DIA OHI so LAM:
LY DO NGHI VIEC:
^
KE TEN VIEC LAM DIEN TA CAO VIEC LAM DA QUA. CAC LOAI MAY, DUNG CU HAY CAC VAT LIEU
DA DUNG TRONG CONG VIEC:
TÉN so' LAM KE TU ngày :(a)
NGAY BAT DAU:(b)
NGAY NGHI VIEC:
LUONG BONG:
DIA CHI so LAM:
LY DO NGHI VIEO:
KE TEN VIEC LAM, DIEN TA CAC VIEC LAM DA QUA. CAO LOAI MAY, DUNG CU HAY CÁC VAT LIEU
DA DUNG TRONG CONG VIEO:
TEN so LAM KE TU NGAY: (b)
NGAY BAT DAU:
NGAY NGHI VIEC:
LUONG BONG:
DIA CHI so LAM:
LY DO NGHI VIEC:
KE TEN VIEC LAM, DIÊN TA CAC VIEC LAM DA QUA. CAO LOAI MAY, DUNG OU HAY VAT LIEU
DA DUNG TRONG CONG VIEC:
TOM TAT NHUNHG KINH NGHIEM NGHE NGHIEP CUA BAN:
Lam ón viet chu' in.
so DANH BO:
TAT NGUYEN:
COUNS
DVR
VET
VET
DISAD
2. FOOD STAMP
DIS
DIS
VAN-
Yes
-
+
TAGED
No
30%
30%
HO:
TEN
CHU LOT VIET TAT
DIA CHI HIEN TAI:
so DIEN THOAI:
TINH:
TIEU BANG
KHU BUU OHINH
ATTACHMENT #3 (CONTD)
2-
8. QUOC TICH MY
9; APPLICANT TYPE
10. SUMMER
TC
CC
Co
1. REGISTERED
YOUTH
2
50
No
2. PARTIAL REGISTERED
1.
YES
So The Thong Hanh
3. RENEWAL A
2.
NO
NGAY VA NAM SINH: (Vièt Sô)
NAM
NU
BE CAO:
CAN NANG:
TRINH DO HOO VAN
16.GED
COUNTY CODE
18. ETHNIC GROUP
19. SPAINISH SURNAME
20-A. WELFARE-WIN
1.
WE
3.
AL
1.0 MEX 3.0 OTHER SS
1. VOLUNTEER
2.
B
4.
5. OTH
AS
2.0 P.R 4.0 NON S6
2. VOLUNTEER CERT
3. MANDATORY
21. CLAIMANT
22. VETERAN STATUS
4. MANDATORY CERT
1. STATE
a. 0 NON VETERAN
5. OTHER WELFARE-NON
2. UCFE, UCX-
1 REC SEP
WIN
DISASTER
2 VIETNAM ERA
6. NO WELFARE
3. TEA
3 OTHER
B. PRIORITY CATEGORY
4. UCX (13WKS)
b 1 DISABLE
1. UNEMP FATHER
5.
NO
2
SPEC DISABLE
2. VOLUNTEER MOTHER
BRANCH
3. OTHER MOTHER
23. POOR
4. DEP. CHILDREN
1. DISADV ANTAGED
FROM
5. ALL OTHER
2. OTHER POOR
3. NO
TO
25. A. CETA 1-5
24. HDCP
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
25-B. MIGRANT 1-3
OTHER THAN DISHONORABLE
0-9
25-0. AFS 25-D. FUTURE USE
26. DO YOU HAVE
27. DOAN THE HAY HOI VIEN NGHE NGHIEP CHUYEN MON:
TOOLS
WA DR LIC
TEN:
10
AUTO
CHIL CARE
so THE HOI VIEN
CHUC VI
OCCUP LIC
28. TITLE 60. O. T.)
29. CODE
30. KHA NANG, HOC THUC, NANG KHIEU
TOC KY:
BAO NHIEU CHU TRONG MOT PHUT:
MAY DANH CHU BANG DIEN
MAY THUONG
BAO NHIEU CHU VIET TAT TRONG MOT PHUT:
32.
NHUNG KHA NANG KHAC, BIET TAI HAY CO THE XU DUNG BUOC CAC LOAI MAY KHAC:
33. NGAY XIN VIEC:
34. VIEC LAM HOP VOI KHA NANG:
3
ATTACHMENT #3 (CONTD.)
35. so NGUOI PHAI CAP DUONG:
PHAI CAP DUONG CON CAI?
BAN CO BANG LONG DI CHUYEN?
CO
KHONG
CO
KHONG
36. KE TEN CAC TRUONG DA HOC:
TRUONG THU HUAN DAC BIET:
TRUONG QUAN DOI:
NGANH GI?
37. NGAY GIO BAN 00 THE LAM VIEC:
OHI BAN NGAY
TU 3 GIO CHIEU DEN 12 GIO DEM
TU 11giò DEN 7 GIO CHIEU
THOI KHOA BIEU KHONG NHAT
DINH:
LAM VIEC THAY PHIEN:
BAT OU LUC NAO
38. COST CENTER
I HEREBY REGISTER FOR MANPOWER SERVICES TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT AS REQUIRED BY
SECTION 402 (A) 19 (A) OS THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AS AMENDED IN 1971, AS A CONDITION
OF: ELIGIBILITY OF A F D C BENEFITS
NGUOI XIN VIEO KY TEN
WELFARE -CASE NO
42. 1. BAO HIEM THAT NGHIEP
2. QUYEN UU TIEN CUA CUU CHIEN SI
3. NHUNG SU HIEU BIET VA TIM HOI CUA CUU CHIEN BINH:
4. ADDITIONAL CLASSIFICATION:
5. VAN PHONG GIUP DO VA KHICH LE
6. VAN PHONG THAM VAN
7. VAN PHONG CAO DAI LY KHAC:
8. LMI
9. HUAN LUYEN
10. THOI GIAN CO HIEU LUC:
11. JOB DEVELOPMENT
43. KET QUA CUOC TRAC NGHIEM:
NGAY:
BAI THI:
ag
44. NHUNG DIEM DAC BIET:
a) KHONG THICH DANG
b) SU GIOI HAN
c) Nhung Hoat Dong
Trong luc Nhan roi
45. TOM LUOT NHUNG KHA NANG VA DU TINH CHO CONG VIEC:
TEAM
MEMBER
46. I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE U.S. DURING THE PERIOD
SHOWN AND WAS SEPARATED THEREFROM UNDER OTHER THEN DISHONORABLE CODITIONS.
KY TEN
APPLICATION CARD
ES 511 (EMS 6480)-9-74
PLEASE PRINT
Include Below Principal Work Activity; Include Military Service, etc.
PRESENT OR LAST EMPLOYER
DATE STARTED
DATE LEFT
PAY
ADDRESS
REASON FOR LEAVING
ATTACHMENT #3 (CONTD.)
NAME YOUR JOB-DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DID-TELL WHAT MACHINES, TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
EMPLOYER
DATE STARTED
DATE LEFT
PAY
ADDRESS
REASON FOR LEAVING
NAME YOUR JOB-DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DID-TELL WHAT MACHINES, TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
EMPLOYER
DATE STARTED
DATE LEFT
PAY
ADDRESS
REASON FOR LEAVING
NAME YOUR JOB-DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DID-TELL WHAT MACHINES, TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
SUMMARY OF OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
PLEASE PRINT
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
HCP
COUNS
DVR
VET
VET
VET
DISAD
2.FOOD
28. TITLE (D. O. T.)
29. CODE
HCP
DIS
DIS
VAN-
STAMP
-
+
TAGED
1
Yes
30%
30%
2
No
3. LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
MIDDLE INITIAL
4. GIVE COMPLETE ADDRESS
5. TELEPHONE NUMBER
30. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
31. APPL. DATE
6. CITY
STATE
7. ZIP
Typing Speed WPM-Electric Manual Shorthand Speed WPM
33. SERVICE DATES
32. OTHER SKA (Machines Used, Language(s), etc.)
8. U.S. CITIZEN
9. APPLICANT TYPE
10 SUMMER
TC
CC
11. DATE OF
12. SEX
YOUTH
YES
1
REGISTERED
BIRTH
1
NO
2
1
YES
2
50
M
PARTIAL REGISTERED
2
F
VISA NUMBER
3
RENEWAL A
2
NO
MO
YR
13. HGT.
14.
15. INDICATE HIGHEST GRADE
16. GED
17. COUNTY
34. OCCUPATIONAL PREFERENCE
18. ETHNIC GROUP
FT.
IN.
WGT
OF SCHOOL COMPLETED
CODE
1
WE
3
AI
5
OTH
2
B
4
AS
35. NUMBER OF CHILD CARE NEEDED WILL YOU RELOCATE?
DEPENDENTS
YES
NO
YES
NO
19. SPANISH SURNAME
20-A. WELFARE-WIN
21. CLAIMANT
22. VETERAN STATUS
36. LIST SCHOOLS-SPECIAL SCHOOLS-MILITARY SCHOOLS
SCHOOL NAME
MAJOR COURSES
DATES
1
M.A. 3
OTHER SS
1
VOLUNTEER
I
STATE
a. 0
NON VETERAN
2
P.R.
4
NON SS
2
VOLUNTEER CERT
5
CHICANO
2
UCFE, UCX-
1
REC SEP
3
MANDATORY
DISASTER
2
VIETNAM ERA
23. POOR
4
MANDATORY CERT
3
TEA
3
OTHER
37. SHIFTS WILLING TO WORK:
1
DISADVANTAGED
5
OTH. WELFARE-NON
4
UCX (13 WKS)
DAYS ONLY
GRAVEYARD
SPLIT
b. 1
DISABLED
2
OTHER POOR
WIN
5
NO
SWING
ROTATING
ANYTIME
2
SPEC DISABLED
3
NO
6
NO WELFARE
I HEREBY REGISTER FOR MANPOWER SERVICES TRAINING AND
24. HDCP
BRANCH
EMPLOYMENT AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 402(A) 19(A) OF THE
B. PRIORITY CATEGORY
3
OTHER MOTHER
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AS AMENDED IN 1971. AS A CONDITION OF
1
4
DEP. MOTHERS
FROM
ELIGIBILITY OF A F D C BENEFITS.
UNEMP FATHER
0-9
2
VOLUNTEER MOTHER
5
ALL OTHERS
TO
38. COST CENTER
25-A. CETA
25-B. MIGRANT
25-C. AFS
25-D. FUTURE USE
REGISTRANT'S SIGNATURE
1-5
1-3
DO YOU HAVE
27. UNION OR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
39. I.D. NUMBER
TOOLS
WA DR LIC
NAME
OTHER THAN
AUTO
CHILD CARE
STATUS
DISHONORABLE
40.
LOCAL NUMBER
OCCUP LIC
WELFARE CASE NO
APPLICATION CARD
ES 511 (EMS 6480)-9-74
3
PLEASE PRINT
Include Below Principal Work Activity; Include Military Service, etc.
PRESENT OR LAST EMPLOYER
DATE STARTED
DATE LEFT
PAY
ADDRESS
REASON FOR LEAVING
ATTACHMENT #3 (CONTD.)
NAME YOUR JOB-DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DID-TELL WHAT MACHINES, TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
EMPLOYER
DATE STARTED
DATE LEFT
PAY
ADDRESS
REASON FOR LEAVING
NAME YOUR JOB-DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DID-TELL WHAT MACHINES, TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
EMPLOYER
DATE STARTED
DATE LEFT
PAY
ADDRESS
REASON FOR LEAVING
NAME YOUR JOB-DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DID-TELL WHAT MACHINES, TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
SUMMARY OF OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
PLEASE PRINT
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
HCP
COUNS
DVR
VET
VET
VET
DISAD
2.FOOD
28. TITLE (D. O. T.)
29. CODE
HCP
DIS
DIS
VAN-
STAMP
-
+
TAGED
1
Yes
30%
30%
2
No
3. LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
MIDDLE INITIAL
4. GIVE COMPLETE ADDRESS
5. TELEPHONE NUMBER
30. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
31. APPL. DATE
6. CITY
STATE
7. ZIP
Typing Speed WPM-Electric Manual Shorthand Speed WPM
33. SERVICE DATES
32. OTHER SKA (Machines Used, Language(s), etc.)
8. U.S. CITIZEN
9. APPLICANT TYPE
10 SUMMER
TC
CC
11. DATE OF
12. SEX
YOUTH
YES
1
REGISTERED
BIRTH
I
NO
2
1
YES
2
50
M
PARTIAL REGISTERED
2
F
VISA NUMBER
3
RENEWAL A
2
NO
MO
YR
13. HGT.
14.
15. INDICATE HIGHEST GRADE
16. GED
17. COUNTY
34. OCCUPATIONAL PREFERENCE
18. ETHNIC GROUP
OF SCHOOL COMPLETED
CODE
FT.
IN.
WGT
1
WE
3
AI
5
OTH
2
B
4
AS
35. NUMBER OF CHILD CARE NEEDED WILL YOU RELOCATE?
DEPENDENTS
YES
NO
YES
NO
19. SPANISH SURNAME
20-A. WELFARE-WIN
21. CLAIMANT
22. VETERAN STATUS
36. LIST SCHOOLS- SPECIAL SCHOOLS- MILITARY SCHOOLS
SCHOOL NAME
MAJOR COURSES
DATES
1
M.A.
3
OTHER SS
1
VOLUNTEER
1
STATE
a. 0
NON VETERAN
2
P.R.
4
NON SS
2
VOLUNTEER CERT
5
CHICANO
2
UCFE, UCX-
1
REC SEP
3
MANDATORY
DISASTER
2
VIETNAM ERA
23. POOR
4
MANDATORY CERT
3
TEA
3
OTHER
37. SHIFTS WILLING TO WORK:
1
DISADVANTAGED
5
OTH. WELFARE-NON
4
UCX (13 WKS)
DAYS ONLY
GRAVEYARD
SPLIT
b. 1
DISABLED
2
OTHER POOR
WIN
5
NO
SWING
ROTATING
ANYTIME
2
SPEC DISABLED
3
NO
6
NO WELFARE
1 HEREBY REGISTER FOR MANPOWER SERVICES TRAINING AND
24. HDCP
BRANCH
EMPLOYMENT AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 402(A) 19(A) OF THE
B. PRIORITY CATEGORY
3
OTHER MOTHER
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AS AMENDED IN 1971. AS A CONDITION OF
1
4
DEP. MOTHERS
FROM
ELIGIBILITY OF A F D C BENEFITS.
UNEMP FATHER
0-9
2
VOLUNTEER MOTHER
5
ALL OTHERS
TO
38. COST CENTER
25-A. CETA
25-B. MIGRANT
25-C. AFS
25-D. FUTURE USE
REGISTRANT'S SIGNATURE
1-5
1-3
DO YOU HAVE
27. UNION OR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
39. I.D. NUMBER
TOOLS
WA DR LIC
NAME
OTHER THAN
AUTO
CHILD CARE
STATUS
DISHONORABLE
40.
LOCAL NUMBER
OCCUP LIC
WELFARE CASE NO
PLEASE PRINT
1. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
HCP
COUNS
DVR
VET
VET
VET
DISAD
2.FOOD
28. TITLE (D. O. T.)
29. CODE
HCP
DIS
DIS
VAN-
STAMP
-
+
TAGED
1
Yes
30%
30%
2
No
3. LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
MIDDLE INITIAL
ATTACHMENT #3
(CONTD.)
4. GIVE COMPLETE ADDRESS
5. TELEPHONE NUMBER
30. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
31. APPL. DATE
6. CITY
STATE
7. ZIP
Typing Speed WPM-Electric Manual Shorthand Speed WPM
33. SERVICE DATES
32. OTHER SKA (Machines Used, Language(s), etc.)
8. U.S. CITIZEN
9. APPLICANT TYPE
10 SUMMER
TC
CC
11. DATE OF
12. SEX
YOUTH
YES
1
REGISTERED
BIRTH
1
M
NO
2
PARTIAL REGISTERED
1
YES
2
50
2
F
VISA NUMBER
3
RENEWAL A
2
NO
MO
YR
13. HGT.
14.
15. INDICATE HIGHEST GRADE
16. GED
17. COUNTY
34. OCCUPATIONAL PREFERENCE
18. ETHNIC GROUP
OF SCHOOL COMPLETED
CODE
FT. IN.
WGT
1
WE
3
AI
5
OTH
2
B
4
AS
35 NUMBER OF CHILD CARE NEEDED WILL YOU RELOCATE?
DEPENDENTS
YES
NO
YES
NO
19. SPANISH SURNAME
20-A. WELFARE-WIN
22. VETERAN STATUS
36. LIST SCHOOLS- SPECIAL SCHOOLS MILITARY SCHOOLS
21. CLAIMANT
SCHOOL NAME
MAJOR COURSES
DATES
1
M.A. 3
OTHER SS
1
VOLUNTEER
1
STATE
a. 0
NON VETERAN
2
P.R.
4
NON SS
2
VOLUNTEER CERT
5
CHICANO
2
UCFE, UCX-
1
REC SEP
3
MANDATORY
DISASTER
2
VIETNAM ERA
23. POOR
4
MANDATORY CERT
3
TEA
3
OTHER
37. SHIFTS WILLING TO WORK:
1
DISADVANTAGED
5
OTH. WELFARE-NON
4
UCX (13 WKS)
DAYS ONLY
GRAVEYARD
SPLIT
b. 1
DISABLED
2
OTHER POOR
WIN
5
NO
SWING
ROTATING
ANYTIME
2
SPEC DISABLED
3
NO
6
NO WELFARE
I HEREBY REGISTER FOR MANPOWER SERVICES TRAINING AND
24. HDCP
BRANCH
EMPLOYMENT AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 402(A) 19(A) OF THE
B. PRIORITY CATEGORY
3
OTHER MOTHER
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AS AMENDED IN 1971. AS A CONDITION OF
1
UNEMP FATHER
4
DEP. MOTHERS
FROM
ELIGIBILITY OF A F D C BENEFITS.
0-9
2
VOLUNTEER MOTHER
5
ALL OTHERS
TO
38. COST CENTER
25-A. CETA
25-B. MIGRANT
25-C. AFS
25-D. FUTURE USE
REGISTRANT'S SIGNATURE
1-5
1-3
26. DO YOU HAVE
27. UNION OR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
39. I.D. NUMBER
TOOLS
WA DR LIC
NAME
OTHER THAN
AUTO
CHILD CARE
LOCAL NUMBER
DISHONORABLE
40.
STATUS
OCCUP LIC
WELFARE CASE NO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 23, 1975
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO
Congressman Thomas E. Morgan, Chairman,
Committee on International Relations
Congressman John J. Sparkman, Chairman,
Committee on Foreign Relations
Senator John L. McClellan, Chairman,
Committee on Appropriations
Senator James O. Eastland, Chairman,
Congressman George H. Mahon, Chairman,
Committee on Appropriations,
Congressman Peter W. Rodino, Chairman,
Committee on the Judiciary
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975 requires
that I transmit within thirty days after it's enactment a report to six
committees of the Congress describing the status of refugees from
Cambodia and South Vietnam.
In response to that requirement, I am forwarding a report prepared
by the acting director of the interagency task force for Indochina. It
sets forth current progress in receiving and resettling the refugees.
Progress to date has been good when considered in the context of
the magnitude of the refugee situation -- the large numbers and
great distances -- and the short period of time available to deal
with it. The cooperation and sacrifices made by private individuals
and organizations, by Members of the Congress, by Federal, State
and local officials, and by military personnel have been exemplary.
I compliment all of them, and I ask that as many more people as
is
FORD
possible contribute their efforts toward complete resettlement.
CRALD
I am also transmitting a report regarding retrieval of assistance
funds to Cambodia and South Vietnam by the Department of Defense
and the Agency for International Development as required by section
4(b) (3) of the Act.
I anticipate that the subsequent supplementary reports required by the
Act will provide the committees additional information on these activities.
Sincerely,
REPORT TO THE CONGRESS
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE
ON INDOCHINA REFUGEES
ERRATA SHEET
Introduction:
p. 2, line 2: 33,321 should be 32,321
p. 3, line 5: 33,321 should be 32,321
p. 3, last paragraph: The "survey" referred to
here is an Immigration and Naturalization Service
statistical analysis provided to the Task Force
on 10 June 1975. The difference between the
99,580 figure of 10 June and the 94,842 figure
listed in the preceding table reflects the
number of refugees released between 10 and 15
June.
Annexes:
Refugee Profile:
p. 12: Figures reflect United States and
Territories. The entry for Canada should
be deleted.
PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT BY JULIA VADALA TAFT,
DIRECTOR OF THE PRESIDENT'S INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE,
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1975
IT IS A PLEASURE FOR ME TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU
TODAY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE WORK OF THE
INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE AND ON THE GENERAL PROGRESS
OF OUR NATIONAL EFFORT TO RESETTLE THE INDOCHINESE
REFUGEES,
You HAVE THE REPORT WHICH WAS SENT TO THE CONGRESS
THIS MORNING, AND IT WILL PROVIDE THE ANSWERS TO MANY
OF YOUR SPECIFIC QUERIES. WHAT A REPORT OF THIS NATURE
DOES NOT PROVIDE -- AND WHAT I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP IN
MIND AS YOU THINK ABOUT AND WRITE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS
OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT -- IS THE HUMAN DIMENSION.
IT IS ALL TOO EASY TO FORGET THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
HUMAN BEINGS AND THE RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT
THEIR LIVES IN THE MOST PROFOUND WAY, IT IS EASY TO
BECOME ABSORBED IN STATISTICS, TO PURSUE ALL TOO SINGLE-
MINDEDLY THE GOAL OF HIGHER AND HIGHER NUMBERS OF DEPARTURES
PER WEEK FROM THE RECEPTION CENTERS, FOR EXAMPLE. IT IS
IMPORTANT, OF COURSE, THAT WE MOVE WITH DISPATCH, BUT
FORD
IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK CAREFULLY, WE
CRALD
SHOULD NOT LOOK FOR A PLACEMENT SYSTEM THAT OPERATES IN
ASSEMBLY LINE PRECISION, OR A PROCESSING SYSTEM IN WHICH
-2-
PEOPLE-RELATED SNAGS AND DELAYS AND FRUSTRATIONS DO
NOT OCCUR AS A MATTER OF COURSE,
THE INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE BELIEVES IT HAS
ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL IN A VERY SHORT TIME. DURING
THE FIRST 7 WEEKS OF OUR RESETTLEMENT EFFORT, 30% OF
THE 131,000 EVACUEES HAVE ARRIVED AT THEIR NEW HOMES AND
HAVE BEGUN NEW LIVES, A LARGER NUMBER THAN WAS THE CASE
WITH THE HUNGARIAN REFUGGES AFTER 6 MONTHS, THE ACTUAL
RESETTLEMENT, AS YOU KNOW, IS DONE BY THE DEDICATED
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND GENEROUS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO,
IN CONJUNCTION, PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SPONSORSHIP, LODGING,
DAILY MAINTENANCE, ASSISTANCE WITH THE JOB HUNT, AND IN
MANY OTHER WAYS HELP OUR NEW ARRIVALS MAKE THE TRANSITION
FROM REFUGEE STATUS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE
TEMPORARILY UNDER OUR CARE so THAT THEIR ASSIMILATION INTO
AMERICAN SOCIETY IS HARMONIOUS AND LASTING. WE BELIEVE
THAT, AFTER SOME INEVITABLE GROWING PAINS, WE -- ALONG
WITH THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS
AND ORGANIZATIONS -- ARE GETTING THE JOB DONE EFFECTIVELY
AND HUMANELY.
I WILL BE GLAD TO GO FURTHER INTO DETAIL BY ANSWERING
ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. LET ME SAY IN CLOSING THAT I
- 3 -
BELIEVE THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO DEMONSTRATE THE
AMERICAN SPIRIT AS WE APPROACH OUR BICENTENNIAL YEAR,
THAN BY OPENING OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES TO FAMILIES
FROM INDOCHINA. THE COOPERATION WE HAVE HAD so FAR
HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY ENCOURAGING AND WE CONTINUE
TO URGE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO SERVE AS SPONSORS,
WE WANT STATES AND CITIES TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PREPARING
THEIR COMMUNITIES AND OUR NATION FOR THE NEW ARRIVALS,
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
Age
Male
Female
Total
0-5
9,243
7.9%
8,424 7.2%
17,667
15.1%
6-11
9,828 8.4
8,775 7.5
18,603
15.9
12-17
9,360 8.0
8,190 7.0
17,550
15.0
18-24
9,9451 8.5
9,009 7.7
18,954
16.2
25-44
16,511 14.1
15,665 B.3
32,176
27.4
45-62
5,134 4.4
4,450 3.8
9,884
8.2
63 & over
1,053
.9
1,521 1.3
2,570
2.2
61,074 52.2%
55,926 47.8%
117,106 100.0%
BRALD 817 R. FORD
EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF 10,039 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD
(Based on sample of 52,951 records)
Elementary
1,141
11.3%
Secondary
5,367
53.4
University
2,637
26.2
Post-graduate
688
6.8
Did not indicate
206
2.0
10,039
100.0%
PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT SKILLS OF
10,039 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD
(Based on sample of 52,951 records)
Professional, technical and managerial
3,113
31.0%
Clerical and sales
1,309
13.0
Service
1,235
12.3
Farming, fishing, forestry and related
1,091
10.9
Agricultural processing
26
.3
Machine trades
126
1.2
Benchwork, assembly and repair
149
1.5
Structural and construction
186
1.8
Transportation and miscellaneous
2,606
26.0
Did not indicate
506
5.0
TOTAL
10,039
100.0%
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 12:00 NOON (EDT)
June 23, 1975
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1975
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
FACT SHEET
STATUS REPORT: REFUGEES FROM INDOCHINA
The President is today transmitting to the Congress the first
report required by Section 4. (b) of the Indochina Migration
and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975 (PL 94-23). The report
describes the initial activities of the President's Special
Inter-Agency Task Force which is charged with coordinating
refugee resettlement activities. The report also describes
the steps taken to retrieve and deposit in the Treasury amounts
authorized and appropriated but not expended for assistance to
South Vietnam and Cambodia
BACKGROUND
On April 18, 1975, the President established a Special Inter-
Agency Task Force "to coordinate all U.S. Government activities
concerning the evacuation of U.S. citizens, Vietnamese citizens,
and third country nationals from Vietnam and refugee and reset-
tlement problems relating to the Vietnam conflict." Twelve
Federal agencies are represented on the Task Force; The
Departments of: State, Health, Education, and Welfare,
Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Labor, Housing and Urban
Development, Transportation, Agency for International Develop-
ment, Office of Management and Budget and Central Intelligence
Agency. Responding to the President's request for legislative
action, the Congress passed the Indochina Migration and Refugee
Assistance Act of 1975 which the President signed into law on
May 24, 1975. Pursuant to that law, today's report includes
sections on the status of the refugees from Cambodia and
Vietnam, plans for their resettlement, and a separate section
prepared by the Department of Defense and the Agency for
International Development regarding non-expended funds.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
-
As of June 15, 131,399 evacuees had entered the
U.S. system of control; 32,321 had already joined
their families or sponsors in the U.S.; 3,756 had
been resettled in other countries.
-
The security clearance procedures which had been
a principal cause of a slowdown in processing in
mid-May have been centralized and auotmated and
no longer pose the major time problem they once
did.
-
The four reception centers in the continental U.S.
(Camp Pendleton, California; Fort Chaffee, Arkansas,
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania; Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida) are now providing employment counselling
through the Department of Labor, English-language
training and cultural orientation classes through
volunteers and Government personnel as well as
continued screening and processing by the
Immigration and Naturalization Service and the
Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
more
Benefiting mefuges from
Inamine has been
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RESETTLING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
Question: "If these South Vietnamese are evacuated, should they be permitted to live in the U.S. or not?"
)
April 18 - 21, 1975
Should
Should Not
No Opinion
NATIONAL
36%
52%
12%
SEX
Male
36
55
9
Female
37
49
14
RACE
White
36
53
11
Non-White
39
43
18
EDUCATION
College
46
45
9
High School
35
55
10
Grade School
28
52
20
REGION
East
41
46
13
Midwest
32
56
12
South
35
50
15
West
39
55
6
AGE
Total Under 30
56
society oppose resettlement of Vietnamese refugees
36
8
18 - 24 years
57
35
8
25 - 29 years
56
36
8
Note: Majority opinion of virtually all segments of our
30 - 49 years
34
53
13
50 & older
25
61
14
INCOME
$20,000 & over
37
52
11
$15,000 $19,999
39
53
8
$10,000 $14,999
38
51
11
7,000 $ 9,999
43
45
12
$ 5,000 $ 6,999
30
58
12
$ 3,000 - $ 4,999
33
50
17
Under $3,000
31
52
17
POLITICS
From Gallup Opinion Index
in the United States.
Republican
34
54
12
Democrat
35
53
12
So. Democrat
32
53
15
Other Democrat
36
54
10
Independent
41
49
10
RELIGION
Protestant
33
55
12
Catholic
39
49
12
OCCUPATION
Professional & Business
44
45
11
Clerical & Sales
46
46
8
Manual Workers
36
52
12
Non-Labor Force
24
62
14
CITY SIZE
1,000,000 & over
33
53
14
500,000 999,999
37
53
10
FORD & LIBRAR GERALD
50,000 499,999
40
49
11
2,500 49,999
37
55
8
Under 2,500, Rural
35
51
14
Favored humanitarian aid
46
43
11
Opposed humanitarian aid
25
65
10
2
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to
breath free. "
These words, written by a young Jewish girl are inscribed on a statue
given by the French to stand in a harbor which had for SO long been the gateway
to new hope, and a new life for hundreds of thousands of foreigners. The
Statue of Liberty and the words of Emma Lazarus do not mark an event. They
mark a tradition. It is not SO much the tradition of a people, but of the land
itself -- a part of the mythic dimensions of America.
Perhaps you hadn't thought of it recently, but when the first immigrants
came to this land in 1620, they were met and helped by other men and women
already here. We read that had it not been for Massasoit and his friends the
Pilgrims, by their own account, would not have survived the difficulties of their
new life in a new land.
-2-
Now, three and one half centuries later, America is much changed.
Nevertheless, man's condition, in some respects, has changed relatively little.
For there are still those who want freedom and still those who would deny it.
There are still places where men and women fear for their lives, and there
are still those who are hungry. We are a great and blessed people, and we do
what we can to help others. The days of the great waves of immigration are past.
But still, sometimes, there are events and occasions which leave no choice but
that we open the Golden Door of Emma Lazarus' poem and take in others as our own.
The fall of Vietnam and Cambodia is such an occasion. I will not talk to
you today of the war in Indochina, and if it was just or right, and if it was well
fought, and if some prospered while others died. Let the politicians and the
statesmen and strategists sort it out. Let the voters sort it out when it is time
to vote. Let us think deeply upon it all, for these questions involve a future that
we and our children must live in -- hopefully more wisely, and more safely.
-3-
But let us not find in the events of the past a cause for vindictiveness.
Let us not find in the refugees of Indochina an occasion for malice. I believe
you will not. I believe most Americans will not.
Rather, let us see in the refugees of Indochina an opportunity to reaffirm
the vitality of that unique American tradition which has brought each of us in this
room together, that has made us a nation composed of nations, a united people
composed of disparate peoples. Let us bring the refugees of Vietnam, of
Cambodia into our national life by bringing them into our neighborhoods and into
our homes. If you will not do it, who will?
Today, we have a little more than 131,000 refugees either in resettlement
camps here or on their way here. Most of those are children. In terms of
families, there are roughly 35,000. The number is SO small. Consider how many
churches and synagogues we have in America. How many service organizations
do we have ? How many families of sufficient means and sufficient concern for
-4-
their fellow man do we have ? Add them up. You will see that 35, 000 is a small
number. It is SO small that there may be a temptation to assume that the job will be
done easily -- that others will do it. We know better than that though, don't we ?
It has always puzzled me how greatly we uphold the belief that each single
person matters. Our system is not geared to masses -- we are not collectivists,
seeking the good of an abstraction called "the people", while acting without regard
for the person. We know, instead, that by upholding the worth of the individual,
the welfare of the people is served best. And yet, in spite of this, in spite of the
fact that we would defend the view that each person matters and that this is what
America is all about --- in spite of it, there are those who will always conclude
that somebody else will do the work that must be done. As if they themselves,
the contribution they can make, the work they can do, the vote they might cast,
do not matter. It is a strange contradiction in a democratic society. It is one
we cannot afford. It is certainly one which will defeat the efforts that our government
is undertaking to meet our moral obligation toward the victims of the Indochina War.
-5-
You can help to meet this obligation. What we need most desperately are
sponsors -- people who can give help to people who need help. What must a
sponsor do ?
They must receive the refugee family they will sponsor.
They must provide adequate shelter and food for them.
They must provide adequate clothing and pocket money for them.
They must arrange for any children to enter schools.
They must assist the breadwinner in the family to find a job.
They must cover the cost of medical expenses for them.
They must do all this until the refugee family is self-sufficient.
These are not overwhelmingly difficult responsibilities. They are,
in my view, opportunities to remind ourselves that America is still America.
Because I do not believe that any single sponsor would not find those among
his neighbors, among his community to assist in this compassionate endeavor.
FORD
-6-
If a sponsor hasn't enough room in his house, surely he can find a
neighbor to lend a hand and provide some space. Surely there are those who
would help share the cost of an apartment.
There are those who would share the cost of food. It really does not
cost much to feed a Vietnamese family. They are not accustomed to
extravagent diets.
Surely there are those who have clothes they are finished with, clothes
that would be more than sufficient for a child, dresses and men's clothing that
will do nicely.
Your local businesses prosper on good will. They will help. The
druggist will help. Your doctors will help. The members of your church or
your synagogue will help.
-7-
A sponsor really needs only to invite others to share with him in his
good work. Few will pass by on the other side of the road. That isn't how
we do things in America. That isn't the attitude that made us a great nation.
Now, who can become a sponsor? You can. A family can. A church
can. A service organization can. A synagogue can. Those who want to help
can. If there are those among you who want to help, I will take your names
here tonight and see that you are contacted.
Next year we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of our founding. We
were here long before 1776, however. We came, some as refugees, some as
immigrants. We built the land. We became a single people, a nation in
fact before the fact was formalized. What we understand most clearly as we
prepare to pay homage to our history is how great an obligation we have to be
worthy of history, to bear our heritage with honor. And we will do it in words.
You may be sure we will do it in storms of words over the coming year.
-8-
I do not scoff at words, for they inform, and they guide, and they inspire
men and women. The words of Washington and Jefferson, Paine and Madison,
Lincoln and Roosevelt are deeply graven in our past. Not because those words
were eloquent, though often they were, but because they charted a course of
action. Because they called forth deeds, which deeds we now prepare to celebrate
with pride.
It is my hope that we will, and my conviction that we must,
reaffirm the validity of our words of pride in our present, and praise for our past,
by taking those actions, and doing those deeds to which our history as a nation of
refugees of immigrants call us, and that we will do this in part by bringing the
refugees of Indochina into our national life.
Thank you.
It is ironic and it is fitting that we, as a nation of immigrants and
refugees about to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of our founding, are faced
with the opportunity of accepting a new generation of refugees into America. We
have some 133 thousand people from Cambodia and Vietnam coming here to seek
a new life. They come, just as many of our own ancestors came, to find freedom
from oppression, to find new opportunity, to find security in a land at peace.
As many of our ancestors might have told us, it is not an easy matter to
uproot a family and leave one's homeland to start again. Even in the face of
great danger, such as many of those people faced, such a move is an act of faith.
It remains for us in America now to redeem their faith.
We can no longer do as we did in the early days of the great migrations --
open the gates and let people flow in, without guidance or help, leaving them
to find their own way, to survive and prosper if they could, and to fail if they
FORD
could not.
-2-
Today, in order for the Indochina refugees to be released from the
resettlement centers, they must have sponsors. A sponsor can be a single
individual, a family, a church, synagogue, a civic group, a service
organization, or any combination of these.
The sponsor makes a moral, not a legal commitment, to meet certain
obligations toward the refugee, or the refugee family sponsored.
These obligations are the sort that many people can help with --
your neighbors, your friends and relatives, the places where you do business,
your doctors and dentists.
A sponsor agrees to provide adequate shelter for a refugee family.
They agree to provide food, clothing and pocket money.
They agree to provide adequate medical and other health care.
They agree to help with getting the children into schools, and the
breadwinners to find a job.
-3-
These obligations may sound onerous, but they are not. Forty thousand
refugees have already found sponsors, and are now beginning the journey toward
a place in our national life.
Their sponsors, in SO many cases, have recognized how relatively easy
and vastly rewarding such an effort can be. The clothes we give to Goodwill,
the food we often waste, the spare room that isn't used anymore, the willingness
of others to help. These are what make sponsorship a thing that most of
us can undertake. These, and one other thing, that most households have in
abundance -- love.
If you can help, if you will help, I will be pleased to tell you how to begin
and where. I will see that you are contacted and that you receive all the guidance
and assistance you will need. I think it's a good way to celebrate the American
Bicentennial. I think each of us have the opportunity to remind ourselves and to
remind the world that we are as we began -- the land of the outstretched hand,
--4-
a land of hope and of plenty, where each man and woman can live in dignity
and decency, where each have their golden opportunity and their secret
dream -- if not for themselves, then for their children; where each person
has a chance, and where their fellowman will help to give them that chance.
Bernard Baruch said it better, in a tribute to the Boy Scouts in 1955.
"This land is your heritage, " he said. "It offers you freedom, opportunity,
well-being. Always the haven of the oppressed, the island of hope in the sea of
fear, it is today the last fortress of freedom in the whole world. "
America is our heritage. But from the beginning, it has been the heritage
of all who love freedom, who seek a haven from oppression, and a new chance.
It is our land. But it is ours to share. We cannot close the door to the last
fortress of freedom. But we cannot say the door is fully open, unless we also
open our neighborhoods, our homes, and our hearts to those who need us.
I hope you can find a way to help.
Thank you.
FORD is CERALO
I want to thank you for this opportunity to be with you today.
In the opening months of this year, the freedom of the people of
South Vietnam, which we had struggled SO long and sacrificed. SO much to
preserve, was finally crushed by the forces of Hanoi. As it became obvious
that the South could no longer defend itself, the United States went in to evacuate
those South Vietnamese who wanted to leave, and particularly those who had
worked with our people during the American involvement there. Because of their
association with us, and their loyalty to us, it was felt that their lives would be
in particularly great danger under the Communists.
The Congress appropriated nearly $5 million to resettle the refugees
from Vietnam, as well as a number from Cambodia. President Ford established
an Intergovernmental Task Force to accommodate them, to provide temporary
housing, clothing and food, to provide temporary medical services, and to take care
of other procedural matters relating to bringing the refugees in. And on May 19,
RALO R. FORD
-2-
the President established an Advisory Committee to assist him in getting the
refugees out of the resettlement camps, and into the mainstream of
American life.
This process has been very successful thus far. More than 40 thousand
people have been resettled at this time, out of about 133 thousand. But far more
remains to be done. The refugees cannot leave the resettlement camps until they
have people to sponsor them. The government cannot do that. Only you and thousands
of other concerned Americans can do that.
Now, this is a job that will be done. It will be done because we are a
generous people. It will be done because we do not turn our backs on people in need.
It will be done because the heart of America is good.
But it would be foolish for any of us to ignore the fact that there are questions
in some people's minds about this matter. We did, after all, sacrifice thousands of
lives and billions in treasure in Southeast Asia. And there are many who wonder
-3-
what we have to show for it. I am not a politician, and I am not a global
strategist. I am just a citizen like you. And, like Peterkin's haunting
question from Southey's
"Battle of Blenheim", we are often moved to
ask, "What good came of it at last?"
The good, if I may suggest one answer, was that America honored its
commitment to freedom. In the end, we did the very best we could to give a
gallant people the best possible opportunity to defend their own freedom.
Perhaps some will argue whether it was worth it. Each of us has to answer that
in our own heart the best way we can. But the other question is whether we can
know any bitterness toward the South Vietnamese. I think we can not and I believe
we must not. Other good and gallant people in the past have fallen before superior
force. Defeat does not make a people bad, or deserving of opprobrium.
-4-
I know something else, as well. I know that we have seen Nazism and
Facism and other isms come and declare themselves the wave of the future,
crushing freedom under their feet. But each has passed, and freedom, sure
as spring, pushes up through the ruins to reaffirm the essential dignity of man.
So perhaps it is worth the risk and the sacrifice required to stand for what
we believe in, knowing that when history makes the final judgment, as only
history can, we will be found where we have always professed ourselves to be --
on the side of human decency, human dignity, and human freedom.
But there are others, and we have read it in the newspapers, who say,
well, I'm not bitter toward anybody, but just look at the numbers. How can
we accommodate such a wave of people? Over 130 thousand people.
Since 1965, we have taken in almost 147 thousand Chinese. Since 1965,
six or seven years after Cuba fell, we have taken in almost 285 thousand Cubans.
After the revolt in Hungary, we took tens of thousands of Hungarians. After the
revolt in Czechoslavakia, we took in tens of thousands of Czechoslavakians.
-5-
Today these people are all a part of America. They haven't corrupted any
neighborhoods. They haven't destroyed the job market -- good workers don't
destroy jobs, they create them. They haven't made America into something
other than what she was. Instead they have reaffirmed that we are what we
always have been -- the Mother of Exiles. God help us, if we ever try to
rationalize our way out of that. God help us if we ever feel the need to
apologize for it. God help us if we ever find ourselves ashamed of the
invitation graven at the bottom of the Statue of Liberty.
No. We have room for 135 thousand more people. We could fit them
all into any of our big city stadiums and have room left over.
They need us, because right now, we're all most of them have got.
But I think we need them, too, because they remind us of what America is all
about, why we are a great nation, and how we got this way.
-6-
I know, when people consider sponsoring refugees, they sometimes
have this intimidating notion that they are undertaking a life-long obligation,
like adopting somebody. The only life-long obligation you have is the one most of
us learn at our mother's knee -- to love others, and treat them the way we
want to be treated. The other obligations are terminal. They amount to
helping people get started in a new life, and doing a little more than you would
normally do anyway, say, for a new family moving in next door.
The first thing is that you have to provide an adequate place to live. That
can be in your own home, but it doesn't have to be.
You have to provide them with food and clothing. Nothing extravagant,
and not necessarily new clothes. Hand me downs were good enough for most of
us at some time in our lives. They'll be satisfied with the same.
SERALD 30 FORD
-7-
You have to provide them with whatever medical care they might need.
From the reports we have received, this will not be a major consideration.
But they will catch colds and get stomach upsets just like the rest of us.
You have to help get their kids into school.
You have to help them find jobs. They will persevere in this. They
don't want to be a burden.
Most of what you have to do is just to teach them how to get along here.
Help them get social security numbers. Teach them the bus routes, so they
can get around. When it is time to get an apartment or a house, go along and
help them.
And don't keep all these good works for yourself. Share the opportunity
to help. Ask your neighbors to lend a hand and to contribute. Ask your family
doctor to help. Ask the supermarket manager where you shop, and your druggist,
and the rest. It is not our way in America to cross over to the other side of the
road when someone needs help.
-8-
It is not necessary for single families alone to be sponsors. A church
or a church group, or a synogogue can do it. A service organization can do it.
A civic club can do it. There is no great difficulty in any of this. It is really
a very simple process. You make a decision to help, and then you execute
that decision.
For those of you who would like to be sponsors, or to assist someone
to help to sponsor a family, or would like to organize a sponsorship, if you
will come and talk to me here, I will take your names and you will receive
the guidance you need to begin.
What we are as a people is something we take for granted in this country.
That is not to be wondered at. You can only spend just SO much of your time
marvelling at what a noble soul you are. For this reason, perhaps, it happens
that others often know us better than we know ourselves. James Bryce was a
British diplomat and member of Parliament during the latter part of the last
-9-
century and the early part of this one. In 1888 he wrote about us, saying that
"Democracy has not only taught the Americans how to use liberty without abusing
it, and how to secure equality, it has also taught them fraternity There is still
in the United States a sort of kindliness, a sense of human fellowship, a recognition
of the duty of mutual help owed by man to man.
"
I would hope that if Bryce were to write of the Americans today, he would again
say "There is still in the United States a recognition of the duty of mutual
help owed by man to man. 11 I believe he would. I believe he would be justified
in doing so. I know that President Ford shares this belief. Upon it is founded
his confidence that 133 thousand victims of the war in Indochina will have a chance
to begin a new life in freedom here in America.
But the President alone cannot assure this. Government alone cannot
do the job.
&
FORD
GERALD
-10-
I remember the story of a student in ancient Greece whose teacher had all
the knowledge and wisdom of the world. The student devised a means to defeat
the old teachers' wisdom. He captured a small bird, and held it cupped in his
hands. His plan was to go to the teacher with the bird secreted in his hands,
and ask the teacher what it was that he was holding.
And if the teacher
guessed that it was a bird, the student would ask if the bird was alive or dead.
If the teacher said that it was dead, the boy would open his hands and let the
bird fly away, free and alive. But if he guessed that the bird was alive, then
the boy would crush out the life of the bird and open his hands to reveal it dead.
The plan went as the boy had foreseen. The old teacher guessed that
his student held a bird in his hands. Then the boy asked his fateful question:
"Is it dead or alive?"
And the old teacher replied: "My son, the answer to that question is
in your hands."
-11-
We will do all that we can do at the Federal level to meet this nation's
obligation toward the refugees of Indochina. But the answer to their future, the answer
to whether they will find peace and opportunity and a new life in liberty -- the
answer to that question is in your hands, and the hands of thousands of other
Americans who understand as you do that what we are as a people, how we
are judged as a people, depends upon how we act as a people to fulfill
"the duty of mutual help owed by man to man. 11
Thank you.
Franklin Roosevelt had a family history that dated back to the
earliest days of our nation. With that patrician background, he once
addressed a convention of the Daughters of the American Revolution, beginning
with these words:
"Fellow immigrants.
"
Roosevelt, in spite of his heritage -- indeed, perhaps, because of it -
never lost sight of the meaning of America. We are the world's oldest republic,
and still one of its youngest nations. Other nations have emerged in recent years,
sometimes by virtue of name changes, sometimes by restoration of independence
through the end of colonialism, but what began here was new. It remains as new
as the hopes and dreams of each new wave of refugees and immigrants who come
to our shores to reaffirm once more the meaning of America.
FORD
GERALD
-2-
For, as events around the world continually alter and reshape the course of
other people's lives, we are continually reminded that the words of another President,
Abraham Lincoln, speak to us through time down to this day as truly as when
they were first uttered, telling us that America is the last best hope of mankind.
We began that way. Whether we shall continue that way depends now on us.
Today, we represent special hope for the refugees of Vietnam and Cambodia
who have seen their land overrun, who have lost their homes and most of their
possessions, who have lost loved ones and been separated from others.
They come to us with little more than hope -- but that they have in abundance.
They have it because we invite it; we provide it. And if we should forsake those to
whom we stand as a symbol of hope, if we should turn away from those who need us,
then we would not merely betray them, but we would also betray our own history and
foresake our own heritage.
-3-
It is because I believe this SO completely, that I have welcomed this
opportunity to serve the President by assisting with the resettlement of the
refugees of Indochina. It is because I believe this that I am here with you now.
I hope you share my conviction that we have a duty to ourselves and our heritage
to assist the President in this matter.
What we need are people to sponsor a refugee or a refugee family.
If you cannot sponsor a family by yourself, you can help someone else do it. You
can organize to do it. A church can do it, or a service club. There is no magic
involved. There is some love involved, but you'll get that back. There is some
compassion involved, but we've never had a shortage of that here in this country.
The purpose of sponsorship is to give the refugee the best possible
opportunity to make a new life and the best possible chance to stay off the public
assistance rolls. These people don't want to be a burden, they want to be an asset
-4-
to America. They are men and women of ability and ambition --- but, more
importantly, they are men and women of enormous dignity and self-respect. They
will make their way nicely; they just need a helping hand. That is what sponsorship
means.
A sponsor makes a moral, not a legal commitment. The sponsor agrees
to provide adequate shelter for a refugee family. It doesn't have to be luxurious,
it doesn't require a 14 room house; it need not even be in your own house. It has
to be adequate.
The sponsor agrees to provide food and clothing for the refugees. This is
something that neighbors can help with; it is something that your local market can
help with; it is something relatives can help with.
The sponsor agrees to provide adequate medical care. All of the refugees
have been given physical examinations. They are receiving the necessary innoculations
and vaccinations. They are already receiving health care in the resettlement
centers. You are not going to inherit large medical problems. Don't worry
FORD & HERALD LIBRAR
-5-
about that. Whatever medical care you may have to provide, I believe your
family doctor would help with. I believe your druggist would help. Don't be
put off by this requirement.
You have to help get the children into appropriate schools.
You have to help with finding jobs. Your state employment agencies
will help you. You don't have to find high-level executive positions. You just
have to help an individual find a way to support himself and his family.
I know we have unemployment in America. I also know that I can pick
up any newspaper and find want ads running on for two and three pages. I hear
people worry and complain that the refugees will take jobs away. That is foolish
and it won't hold water. The last time an influx of immigrants hurt labor in this
country seriously was in the 1850's, when we had a population of 23 million people
and an influx of immigrants amounting to more than 2 million people. We have a labor
force of nearly 92 million people, and we have to fold about 35 thousand people into it.
-6-
I think we can do it without hardship for anybody. I would just add to that
the fact that the President of the AFL-CIO is a member of the President's
Advisory Committee, and nobody has ever successfully accused him of being
disloyal to labor.
No one should approach the question of sponsorship with the fear that
they will incur a long-term obligation. I think rather it should be viewed as
welcoming new neighbors, and giving them, for a little while, a bit more
help than you would normally extend to new neighbors. In a larger sense, you
might also think of it as being an integral part of an historical continuum
that goes all the way back to 1620, when the first immigrants to this country got off
a boat at Plymouth Rock and were helped by native Americans. A sponsor engages
in a humanitarian endeavor. But sponsors also involve themselves in one of the most
noble and formative parts of the American experience.
-7-
Now, just let me say that if there are those among you who can
sponsor a family or who want to help sponsor a family, you let me have your
names and I'll see that you are contacted. And if you have questions or just
want to chat about it, I'll be here and I'll be happy to talk to you.
We are in a time of great celebration now. On the fourth of July we will
celebrate our national birthday, and in the coming year we will celebrate the 200th
anniversary of our founding. You may be certain that much of the world will celebrate
with us, because we matter to the world. We matter not only for our wealth, though
we have shared it more generously than any other nation; not only for our strength,
though we have used it in defense of freedom, wherever freedom was threatened;
not only for our concern for others, though we have demonstrated it with as great
compassion as any people. America is important for all these reasons. But we
are important too as a symbol of what men and women of good will can accomplish
in thei r own interest, by acknowledging the interests and seeking the well being
of others. This is the touchstone of our democracy. We are an open society
-8-
in the truest sense -- open to new ideas, to new opportunities and to new blood.
We love the land our ancestors gave us, and we should. We speak of how we hold
it in trust for future generations of Americans, and we do hold it in trust. But
we hold it also as a haven of hope for those who have little more than hope to sustain
them. We cannot consecrate the past by denying the demands it levies upon the
present, and we will not.
We do have a moral obligation to the refugees of Indochina. We will not
forget what we sacrificed for freedom there. But we should not ignore what they
sacrificed for freedom, either.
We do have an historical obligation to the refugees of Indochina. They
come to us in the same tradition as your forebears and my own. They come to us
as "Fellow immigrants. 11
Thank you.