The important defections from the Castro government, and the growing pressures for exodus from Cuba, bring home the precariousness of Cuban life, and the continuing responsibility of the United States to give asylum to those fleeing Castro's tyranny. And I sincerely hope that other free nations will join the United States in this humanitarian effort.

I would be remiss if I did not comment on several matters which the subcommittee finds disturbing. I am concerned that the memorandum of understanding on the refugee airlift does not cover the release of political prisoners wasting away in Cuba's jails.

I am concerned that we have not been able to secure the release of approximately 600 American citizens and their families, who have applied to leave Cuba, but have been prevented from doing so by the Castro government. I am not satisfied that our Government is doing enough in this area.

I am also concerned that those Cubans who find their way to Mexico, Spain, and other countries, find it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to join their close relatives who came directly to the United States by the airlift from Cuba.

In the past few weeks I have received many letters on this problem of family unity for Cuban refugees. Husbands and wives are separated. Children are without their parents.

At earlier hearings in Washington the situation was graphically outlined by voluntary agency representatives. At the hearing in New York on Wednesday some of the refugees repeated the difficulties.

I believe the spirit of the new immigration law should cover family unity for Cuban refugees. Yesterday I discussed the situation of refugees in Spain with the Spanish Foreign Minister, and on the basis of the hearings thus far, I have sent formal recommendations on this matter to Secretary of State Dean Rusk.

I do hope immediate action will be taken to permit family unity among the refugees from Castro's tyranny.

Perhaps a less dramatic, but still more important issue, concerns the inability of most Cubans to practice their professions or skills— and thus to make their contributions to our society-because of their immigration status as parolees rather than permanent residents. The talents of many doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, skilled workers, and others, are going to waste because of their present immigration status. I strongly believe a formula is urgently needed to adjust their status and I have cosponsored a bill in the Senate for that purpose.

We are happy to have with us today several witnesses, including a number of resettled Cuban refugees, who will relate their experiences with the resettlement program. We hope that the on-location hearings-here in Newark, New York City, and elsewhere-will increase public understanding of the resettlement program, and put the subcommittee and the entire Congress in a better position to make recommendations and pass legislation for the benefit of all concerned. I am delighted this morning to have as our first witness the distinguished Governor of the State of New Jersey. New Jersey has been one of the States which has made an extraordinary contribution in accepting thousands of Cuban refugees. I think that the members of the subcommittee and members of the Congress, will benefit substantially from the information that we are able to gather here today

regarding what has happened to the Cuban refugees who have been resettled in northern New Jersey; how well they have been accepted into the society; and how well they have been integrated into the economy and the social fabric in this State.

There have been many statements which have been made about Cuban refugees who have come here, and we are deeply interested in the experience of the State of the New Jersey in the resettlement of these refugees, and what kind of success the resettlement programs have been.

As I mentioned earlier in my statement, there are, according to Mr. Castro, over 250,000 Cubans who desire to come to the United States and have close family ties with Cuban refugees in the United States. The estimate of our own Cuban refugees who have listed their close relatives, is 750,000, so we can expect this program to be continuing for a period of time, and we are interested in this new aspect of the program which was initiated at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Mr. Castro and the United States last December. It has been functioning since that time at the rate of some 4,000 Cuban refugees. We are interested in how well these Cuban refugees have been resettled.

We are delighted to welcome the Governor.

Governor HUGHES. I deem it a privilege to testify before this distinguished subcommittee of the United States Senate on the question of Cuban refugee resettlement.

New Jersey, entering its fourth century as a State-the very first of the original 13 States to ratify the Bill of Rights-is and always has been proud of its cosmopolitan status. It is a State which has not only accepted but welcomed the most diverse peoples from the farthest corners of the globe. It is a State with heart, a State which cares about every human being who has come voluntarily to this land, or who has been driven from his homeland for political, social, religious, or economic reasons.

It is no accident, Mr. Chairman, that in 1960 over one-third of the population of this Garden State were either foreign born or the children of immigrant parents. Over the past 15 years, New Jersey, with 3.5 percent of the Nation's population, has welcomed 7 percent of all the immigrants to this country. It is no accident that prior to the recent Cuban exodus in 1961, there was already a sizable Cuban population resident, established and integrated into the growing citizenry of this State.

Therefore, it is with a certain amount of pride that I report New Jersey today stands second in the country-only to New York-in the total number of Cuban refugees resettled here from June 1961 to January 1, 1966-almost 13,000. That figure represents 13.7 precent of all Cuban refugees resettled in the United States during that period, and their dispersal throughout more than 200 New Jersey municipalities is a measure of the broad heart and the willingness of New Jersey citizens to do their part and extend the hand of friendship and welcome. To those cities, and the Catholic Relief Service, Church World Service, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the nonsectarian New Jersey Rescue Committee and the American Friends Service Committee, I extend the appreciation of this State and the thanks of the people for a job well done.

Private voluntary initiative-the mainstay of any ongoing free society-must be aided and supplemented by responsible public efforts. New Jersey has not been found wanting in this area.

In 1962, in accordance with the stated policies of President John F. Kennedy, and as chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee of the Governors' Conference, I was privileged to cosponsor a resolution, adopted by all 50 Governors-which stated in part:

*** that appropriate agencies of the several State governments should lend all possible assistance to the resettling of (Cuba) refugees within the freedom of the United States until they can return to freedom in their native land.

The response of the Governors was outstanding.

In 1963, under the intensive continuing commitment of President Johnson to freemen, I asked each of the 50 Governors to reestablish refugee relief committees in each of the States.

In 1963, to meet the new Cuban immigration, New Jersey reconstituted its own Governor's Committee on Refugee Relief, which had performed so well in the Hungarian refugee crisis. That committee has been functioning as a referral and information unit on Cuban resettlement problems, in continuing touch with private and governmental organizations.

What has been the result of these efforts?

It is almost universally reported that the Cuban refugee has been an asset to New Jersey. He has come to a State with an already existing and established Cuban population of some size, and thus, is more easily integrated into New Jersey life. He is highly motivated and characterized by his adaptability and willingness to become a useful and respected part of society. He is interested in self-improvement.

A number of New Jersey cities such as Newark, Vineland, Paterson, Dover, Passaic, and Keyport have initiated local English language courses for Cubans, and a number of schools have initiated special work with Cuban schoolchildren. A new community action Spanish center under the antipoverty program is being proposed in Elizabeth. It will serve as an information referral center and will offer family counseling and legal services to the Spanish-speaking citizen.

Has the impact of the Cuban refugee on the New Jersey economy been negative in the last 4 years? The facts eloquently say "No." New Jersey has enjoyed 4 years of unprecedented prosperity. An average of 160,000 payroll jobs were added to the economy in that period. Personal income rose by $4 billion. Unemployment dropped from 7.3 percent in 1961 to 5.1 percent in 1965. Corporate profits, international trade, and commercial, industrial, and residential construction rose to new heights. In fact, at this moment, we are in a tight labor market where many skilled and professional jobs (and some unskilled jobs) are not filled because of a labor shortage. Therefore, the words of a New Jersey labor specialist who will testify later today have added meaning. He said in reference to the Cuban refugee:

In today's market, their skills and educational achievements and work attitudes have contributed significantly to their easy assimilation into the work force *** We would have been the poorer had they not come.

The Cuban has not deemed it an insult to his capabilities to take a job or train for a job of lesser stature than he held in Cuba, especially because of initial language problems. Many have been able to move into professional positions as medical aides and language teachers.

Others are preparing to enter similar professions and are seeking certification or licensing. Many have accepted factory jobs. Many have registered to become American citizens.

The percentage of Cuban refugees who have had to avail themselves of welfare assistance has been small and short termed. The funds expended for such assistance since 1961 have been wholly Federal, and have imposed absolutely no financial obligation on the citizens of New Jersey.

Some might consider it surprising that New Jersey has attained such a high level of achievement while adding comparatively large groups of immigrants to its population. But it is not surprising that peoples with their irrepressible thrust for freedom, their intelligence and talents and their dreams have come to America and New Jersey. That gives us new faith in the enduring American heritage of pluralism and diversity and acceptance of difference.

We cannot deny that there have been problems. A new people in a new land must experience some initial difficulties. But limited problems are being overcome. Yet, New Jersey and America profit from such new arrivals.

President Woodrow Wilson, illustrious Governor of this State, once said to a group of new American citizens of foreign birth in 1916:

This is the only country in the world which experiences * * * constant and repeated rebirth. Other countries depend upon the multiplication of their own native people. This country is constantly drinking strength out of new sources by the voluntary association with it of great bodies of strong men and forwardlooking women out of other lands *** It is as if humanity had determined to see to it that this great Nation *** should not lack for the allegiance of the people of the world.

The Cuban refugee resettlement story is, in a sense, part of that allegiance by people of the world of this country.

The torch of the Statue of Liberty, though sometimes clouded by limited vision, still shines-not just as a symbol of freedom but as part of the real story of American democracy. New Jersey proudly takes her place in that tradition.

Senator KENNEDY. Governor, I want to thank you for your splendid statement and your appearance here. I think that the citizens of New Jersey who have been interested and concerned about the humanitarian implications of this program will have to recognize that you played an important role in 1962 at the Governors' conference when you adopted the resolution, which urged your fellow Governors to develop programs to help and assist the resettlement of refugees. Your personal interest in this problem has certainly been manifested on many different occasions, and I think for that reason, we are extremely fortunate to have you relate New Jersey's experience.

As I understand it, according to HEW's figures, as of December 31, 1965, there have been over 12,830 Cuban refugees who have been settled in the State of New Jersey in some 205 communities and the best estimate, from 1965, is that there are probably 14,000 Cuban refugees who have been settled since 1961. I am wondering whether you could say from your experience in public life whether you have noticed any adverse reaction in any of these 205 cities or towns to the settlement of these Cuban refugees?

Governor HUGHES. None whatsoever. And of course we have looked because this type of immigration obviously might be expected to af

fect the labor market and other problems, but we have seen none, and we think that the people here accept this as an addition to their own strength, and extend a very warm welcome.

Senator KENNEDY. Now, as the chief executive of the State of New Jersey, have you been conscious of any statements or reports which indicate that Cuban refugees have displaced workers here in the State of New Jersey?

Governor HUGHES. None whatsoever. We have always had, Senator, a very warm feeling for our Spanish-speaking citizens. Í know that the distinguished mayor of this city, Mayor Addonizio, has always been so close to the comparatively large Puerto Rican population here. So we start out with instinctive liking for people who have been brought up speaking the Spanish language. I think that this, too, is a little bit-call it a little bit of sentiment-and it has helped us to make sure. I think it accounts in part for the lack of any conflict.

Senator KENNEDY. Of course, you probably read the reports which have come out in some parts of the country where Cuban refugees have settled to the effect that they have not been welcome, and that they have not been able to integrate into the fabric of the society. Governor, I think your statement for the State of New Jersey, which is second only to the State of New York in the total number of people welcomed, is extremely powerful evidence of how well integrated these Cuban refugees have been.

I gather from your statements that you can without any hesitation state unequivocally that they have been productive and constructive

in the State?

Governor HUGHES. Yes, sir, and we welcome them, particularly because they seek freedom and want to come here to breathe an air of freedom in America with us.

Senator KENNEDY. I want to thank you very much, Governor, for appearing here.

Governor HUGHES. Thank you, Senator. I have to run, Senator, they make me work very hard.

Senator KENNEDY. Our next witness is the distinguished Congressman who represents this great district of the State of New Jersey, Peter Rodino, who is well known not only to the constituents of his own district, but to the people of the State of New Jersey. He has served as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he has been primarily interested in his other responsibilities in the problems of integration. He played an extremely important role in the passage of the immigration bill this last year, and I had the good fortune of serving with him in the conference committee and saw for myself his own deep interest and commitment to the humanitarian problems which are always at the heart of any kind of an immigration bill, or for that matter, the problems of refugees.

Congressman Rodino can give us powerful testimony as to the resettlement programs and the problems of refugees in this area of the State. We welcome you here today.

Congressman RODINO. We thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I wish to commend the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts, the chairman of this subcommittee, for the very, very valuable efforts in this area of refugees. Generally, his constant inquiry in this field has been a great use to the Congress, particularly in this