area of Cuban refugees. I think we are going to find that this type of on-location hearing will give us the kind of information that is going to make it lots easier for our legislators to be able to deal with this very, very vital problem.

Mr. Chairman, I welcome the opportunity to hear some testimony here, and actually be informed, as you are going to be after you have heard some of the people who are directly related and involved in this problem, and also to make some brief observations on a subject with which I have been closely involved for many years.

My office, which is not too far from here, has been and always will be open to refugees for counseling, understanding, assistance. We have had them coming in from day to day over the years. And I hope to continue to be closely associated, too, with the refugees and their problems here at home and overseas because I think that this problem needs this kind of treatment, this kind of intimate interest.

Dealing with Cuban refugees, as you know, Mr. Chairman, has presented our country with what is to us an unusual situation. In dealing with it these past 5 years we have had the unique experience, because in the first time in our history we have been a country of first asylum for such a large number of refugees, and Subcommittee No. 1 of the House Judiciary Committee, which I am pleased to be a member of, has held some hearings on the subject. I have tried to keep abreast of the situation, its development, and its progress.

And I am happy that today's on-location hearings are at a place in this district which I am proud to represent in the Congress of the United States, and particularly because it is in the location of the university of which I am proud to be an alumnus. The State of New Jersey has, as the Governor has developed, and particularly the Newark area, done extensive work in this area, and can be justifiably proud of the interest and the participation in this effort of public and private agencies, and of the public officials, such as our distinguished Governor and our distinguished mayors, and private citizens in this area.

And certainly, Mr. Chairman, a special tribute should be accorded to the four major voluntary resettlement agencies, Catholic, Protestant, Hebrew, and Nonsectarian, whose performance in this area has been of immeasurable benefit. I can testify to this firsthand. I cannot refrain from singling out the leadership given to the resettlement efforts by men such as the Most Reverend Archbishop Thomas Boland and Monsignor Trainor of the Archdiocese of Newark. They have done invaluable work in this area.

The voluntary agencies have certainly assisted over 14,000 homeless Cubans. They have helped them to make a fresh start in picking up the threads of their shattered lives in the hospitable climate of our whole State. They have done the job well, and we are grateful to them.

The Cuban refugees, to the best of my knowledge, and the data that we have been able to compile, have been resettled in 209 New Jersey communities, and it is my understanding that 5 cities, Hoboken, Newark, Elizabeth, Union City, and West New York have taken over 500 each, and the remainder some lesser numbers.

And recently, of course, the United States greeted the orderly entry into the Nation of close hearthside relatives of Cubans already settled here. The entry of these newcomers is of course in accordance

with the laws of our nation. It is also a current expression of the high principles and humanitarian concern characteristic of the history of our people in regard to those who are displaced and homeless because of conscience and of democratic principles. I am confident that the new arrivals, as they gradually come, will complete previously shattered families, and will find a warm welcome by those who preceded them, by those who arrived earlier.

I am confident, too, Mr. Chairman, that your committee with these on-location hearings will develop the kind of testimony, the kind of information that will be helpful to us. I know that you, Mr. Chairman, have some real insight into this problem, and I know that this subcommittee will produce the kind of valuable information that is going to be useful to us.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Senator KENNEDY. I want to thank you, Congressman, for your statements and for your appearance. As I mentioned earlier, everyone in both Houses of Congress well understand your continued interest in this problem. I also thank you very much for welcoming us to your district here today. I hope you can remain, although I know you have other engagements.

The next witness is the distinguished Representative of the 12th District of the State of New Jersey, Paul Krebs. We are delighted to have him here today.

STATEMENT OF HON. PAUL J. KREBS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Representative KREBS. I welcome the Senate Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees to one of the New Jersey cities that has opened its doors to more than 500 Cuban refugee families.

I speak today both as a Congressman and as a sponsor of three Cuban refugee children who I am proud to claim as my own family. During the past 5 years my home has been the home of these and other young Cubans whose faith in our Nation's welcome has hopefully been redeemed.

However, I am also concerned about the other 270,000 Cuban refugees who have entered this country since late 1959. I think it is important that this Nation extend its help by providing laws that will permit these people to remain self-supporting. Many of these willing workers have not been able to put their skills to work. Because of the parole status in which these refugees find themselves, the many people with professional skills are not permitted to practice their professions. I agree that this Nation's refugees from Castroism deserve the same treatment that earlier refugees from despotism have received. I therefore urge this subcommittee to examine closely the possibility of drafting legislation that will adjust the status of the brave Cuban refugees without forcing these unfortunate people to leave the United States, in order to reenter as permanent residents.

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We must be willing to demonstrate that our Nation has not grown indifferent and, indeed, is still a nation of immigrants.

I want to say in closing that I believe, along with my colleague, Congressman Rodino, that this committee is to be commended for

1 Hungarian refugees.

going out into the vineyards in the fields and learning firsthand the problems confronting these people, and getting suggestions as to what we ought to do to make them part of our community of the United States.

Senator KENNEDY. Congressman, I want to thank you for your appearance here. Your modesty left out what I think is one of the most interesting and humanitarian efforts which you have undertaken by yourself, beyond your work in the Congress of the United States. As I understand it, you have three Cuban refugees who are living in your home, is that right?

Representative KREBS. They live in my home part of the time. The first credit, I believe, goes to the Catholic agency that sponsored these girls, as they did so many other thousands.

I would say secondarily, a lion's share of the credit goes to my wife, actually.

Senator KENNEDY. Are those girls here at the present time? Representative KREBS. The girls are here with my wife. We are on our way to the seashore for the day, and we just stopped in.

Senator KENNEDY. Perhaps they would stand up, maybe you will introduce them.

Representative KREBS. This is Teresa Vega, her sister, Kathy Vega, and Maria Amada.

I want to say, too, that these girls, I think, are 14 or 15. They haven't seen their parents since they were 9 or 10, that's when they left Cuba, and aside from what family life we have been able to help them accomplish, they have had none. Their parents are still in Cuba, they have not been able to get out of the country, and I say that this is a situation that's multiplied many times over throughout the United States.

Senator KENNEDY. How long have you been providing this assistance?

Representative KREBS. I would say about two and a half years. Prior to that there were two other girls of some other families, who are now rehabilitated in Puerto Rico. I would say it would be good for the cause if everybody who had an extra bedroom and some time to give to these unfortunate children would do so, and that not only applies to children, it applies to adults as well. I think that, as well as the assistance that they get from the various agencies, nothing replaces the value of having a part-time home, not a full-time home, in which some of the feelings which reside in the home are available to make up the gap and the void that these people are suffering through no fault of their own.

Senator KENNEDY. Are the girls able to have any kind of correspondence with their parents at all?

Representative KREBS. Yes; they correspond with their parents, and hopefully, the parents of Maria Amada are on the list hoping to get out of Cuba and come to New Jersey and settle here permanently.

Senator KENNEDY. Do you know whether the parents of the other girl are on Castro's list? We might be able to help you make that determination.

Representative KREBS. There are some other complicating factors, Senator; there are some other problems.

Senator KENNEDY. I want to congratulate you personally, and tell you how much I admire both you and your wife for the efforts you

are making in this extraordinary contribution. I hope you have a nice day.

Congressman Minish, who was here earlier had other important business. He was unable to remain, but I want the record to show that he did appear here.

We now welcome the mayor of the city of Newark, the Honorable Hugh J. Addonizio. He is a former Member of the House of Representatives, and we are delighted to have him here.

Mayor ADDONIZIO. Thank you, Senator. Of course, it is a genuine pleasure to have this hearing in the city of Newark, a city which, despite its own great problems, has opened its doors and heart to all people who seek shelter in this country.

There will be many facts and figures introduced into evidence here today, and many persons who have devoted themselves to work directly with the resettlement of these unfortunate people who I am certain will give expert testimony.

As for myself, I will restrict my comments to expressing our willingness to continue to assist in this matter in any way possible, and to suggest two changes in the Federal approach which may be helpful. Through the excellent work of resettlement agencies of Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish organizations, thousands of Cuban refugees have used Newark as a staging area for the eventual settlement in American life. Most of these refugee families consist of two or more children as well as parents. Most of the newcomers do not understand the language of this country. We have made every effort to provide maximum opportunities for those who choose to stay in Newark to learn English, while at the same time we provide the necessary assistance to enable them to adjust to their new circumstances. In this spirit we have established a full-time position of Spanish affairs specialists in the Newark Human Rights Commission. This individual has a staff responsibility for assisting all refugees in establishing new life in our city. The specific services rendered consist of aid in enrolling children in our public schools, providing interpreters, and to provide general personal aid to help solve the difficult problems that any family would encounter in moving to a new environment. In addition, the board of education of our city sponsors special evening adult classes at Central Evening High School for the purpose of giving young Spanish-speaking people the maximum opportunity to complete their high school education. For the parents of these children, the board of education also operates evening classes in English and citizenship at many of the neighborhood public schools.

Moreover, to prepare the resettlement refugee for a wholesome adjustment to his new community life, we have provided educational and specialized training in our new labor department skill center in order to give both men and women an opportunity for economic independence by acquiring the skills essential for employment at a decent wage.

The city of Newark is proud of the fact that it has had the opportunity to serve Cuban refugees as they seek homes either here or elsewhere, and to provide job opportunities and a way of life to all those who choose to reside in our city.

But this hearing would serve no useful purpose unless two vital steps are taken in this entire area of resettlement of Cuban refugees.

First, a coordinated effort on a national basis must be made to assure an orderly transition of the Cuban from the status of a refugee to the status of a productive, useful member of whatever community he settles in.

To this end, information must be made available through a central source to determine what areas can best absorb the refugees and the skills they bring with them; in other words, it is imperative that we do not permit these individuals to fend for themselves in trying not only to acclimate themselves for a new way of life, but to struggle to find work for themselves and their families. It is essential that we use all our resources through a central instrumentality so as to establish an orderly planned approach to place individuals in jobs as soon as possible after their arrival in this country. This is important not only for the welfare of the community, but for the dignity of the Cuban refugee and his family.

The second vital step is to assure these victims of tyranny an opportunity to become citizens of the United States with the least hardship. Direct refugee entry into the United States should be sufficient to qualify the refugee for subsequent steps necessary to be taken to become naturalized. This is not now the case. The process of having to enter this country, then leave for another country such as Canada or Mexico, and reenter, is an undue hardship to those already harassed individuals and families. The process of citizenship should be made as expeditiously as possible for America has already been the land of immigrants and we should strive to give the Cuban the same opportunity as all others have had to fulfill their potential and become an integral part of the total American community.

Thank you.

Senator KENNEDY. Mayor, I have just one question for you. You developed in this city a human relations committee; is that correct? Mayor ADDONIZIO. Yes, human relations commission.

Senator KENNEDY. Has that commission been active in helping and assisting the refugees?

Mayor ADDONIZIO. Very much so. We have a full-time Spanish affairs specialist on that committee who works directly with all of the refugees in trying to establish them in their new life here in the city.

Senator KENNEDY. Can you, as mayor, comment on whether this particular program of working the people into the life of the city has gone smoothly?

Mayor ADDONIZIO. Well, we have had some minor problems, mainly because of the very high unemployment we have in a city like Newark. We have more than 10 percent unemployment in our city, even today. As a result, we have been designated as one of the seven cities in America under the Area Redevelopment Act, and have been given special funds to try to correct that situation. So outside of the fact that some of these people come here and eventually take some jobs, I don't think there has been any real problem in trying to absorb these people into the community.

Senator KENNEDY. Have Cuban refugees, after they have been here for a period of time, attempted to purchase houses?

Mayor ADDONIZIO. Newark has been mostly a staging area for the refugee. We have about 3,000 to 4,000 Cuban refugees in the city of Newark, but most of them have migrated into the suburban communi