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Congress Gets Bill to Admit Refugees Escaping Religious Persecution

May 13, 1959
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Sixty thousand escapees from religious, racial and political persecution would be admitted annually to the United States under terms of new legislation offered in Congress today.

Sen. Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, introduced a bill, co-sponsored by other Senators, to provide admission to this country for refugees escaping religious, racial, or political persecution by Communist or other totalitarian states. A similar bill was simultaneously introduced in the House by Rep. Seymour Halpern, New York Republican.

If the proposed legislation were adopted, the first refugees would be given sanctuary in the United States beginning July 1, 1959, thus officially recognizing the formal start of “World Refugee Year. ” The measure was described as a fitting American contribution to the Refugee Year observance, and an attempt to relieve the world refugee burden.

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