Liberia Designation Extension

LIBERIA DESIGNATION EXTENSION -- (House of Representatives - July 30, 2007)

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Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3123, legislation that would extend by 1 year temporary protective status for all Liberian refugees living in the United States.

I also count it a privilege that this is a bipartisan piece of legislation. I appreciate the efforts of Congressman Kennedy and others in working on something that is the right thing to do.

Currently, all Liberian refugees living in the United States under temporary protective status have until October of this year, and then they'll be forced to return to Liberia.

As someone who had the privilege, and I say that sincerely, of helping a Liberian refugee start a brand new life in America, living in my home, forcing these Liberians out of our country is the wrong policy.

Liberia has been torn apart by two long civil wars over the past 2 decades, and while civil war finally ceased in 2003, Liberia is still years from developing the infrastructure needed for Liberian refugees to return.

Liberia's path remains very difficult. With an unemployment rate of 85 percent, shortages of running water and, according to the United Nations, a mere 26 physicians practicing medicine in a country of 3.4 million people, Liberia cannot absorb the estimated 3,600 Liberians who would be required to return.

Some of the estimated 3,600 Liberian refugees who are here legally in the United States came to our country when civil war broke out in Liberia in 1991, and they're now raising children born in America.

This legislation addresses an urgent situation faced by Liberian refugees who have legally come to America, many over 15 years ago, established careers, bought homes, raised American-born children and become valued members of their communities.

One of the unintended consequences of the temporary protective status is it did not foresee that civil wars would continue many years, leaving refugees in America stuck in a state of flux.

The United States Government must allow these law-abiding, hardworking Liberian refugees the chance to not only continue contributing to American society as they do, but also to continue playing a pivotal role in furthering Liberia's recovery from years of strife and turmoil.

This is the right thing to do. It's an opportunity that we have. It's an opportunity for resources to a foreign country that is a friend of ours that costs us very little because they, the refugees, are the ones primarily giving back.

And so I ask, Madam Speaker, that we, as a Congress, roll up our sleeves in this way and support this legislation to give one simple year to remain for this country to move ahead.

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