File #: Res 0799-2011    Version: * Name: Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2011 (H.R. 6690)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Immigration
On agenda: 4/28/2011
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the 112th United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2011 (H.R. 6690), which would allow certain Tibetans admission to the United States.
Sponsors: Daniel Dromm , Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, G. Oliver Koppell, Brad S. Lander, Rosie Mendez, Deborah L. Rose, James G. Van Bramer, Jumaane D. Williams, Melissa Mark-Viverito
Council Member Sponsors: 10
Res. No. 799
 
Resolution calling upon the 112th United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign,  the Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2011 (H.R. 6690), which would allow certain Tibetans admission to the United States.
 
 
By Council Members Dromm, Comrie, Ferreras, Koppell, Lander, Mendez, Rose, Van Bramer, Williams and Mark-Viverito  
 
      Whereas, New York City is considered to be the melting pot of the world and is home to three million immigrants; and
      Whereas, According to an article in The Tibet Post International, "Tibetans in New York Raise Funds to Preserve Tibetan Culture in Exile," New York City is home to more Tibetan immigrants than any other city outside Asia, with approximately 5,000 Tibetan immigrants; and
      Whereas, The Tibetan community and its leaders have made several noteworthy contributions to the United States and the world, including the Dalai Lama's contribution to finding peaceful solutions to conflict and to leading interfaith dialogue; and      
      Whereas, Tibetan refugees have fled and continue to flee systemic persecution because the Chinese government invaded Tibet in 1949 and continues to occupy the country; and
      Whereas, In 1959, 100,000 Tibetans fled into exile and the migration continues to this day because of the continuing occupation and political unrest in Tibet; and
      Whereas, Continuing occupation has led to the suppression of the Tibetan language, as well as the destruction of the Tibetan culture and religious institutions; and
      Whereas, The Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2011 (H.R. 699), introduced by  U.S. Congressman James Sensenbrenner ( R-Wisconsin)  will make 3,000 immigrant visas available to displaced Tibetans residing in India and Nepal  who want to be resettled successfully in the United States; and
Whereas, The Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2011 will assist New York City Tibetan immigrants by facilitating the process of obtaining legal immigration status for those who are eligible; and
      Whereas, The United States, especially New York City, has a longstanding humanitarian commitment to assisting immigrants and refugees; now, therefore, be it
      Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the 112th United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2011 (H.R. 6690) which would allow certain Tibetans admission to the United States.
 
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JSM
LS# 2206
4/1/2011