I have no further questions.
Mr. DE HAAN. I have a question or two, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Anderson, would you have any comment with respect to the Far
East refugee program as it is now constituted ? Would you suggest
any change in the program, for example ? Is it a currently useful
program ?
Mr. ANDERSON. Well, our experience — you are speaking about the
Far Eastern program of the U.S. Government ?
Mr. DE HAAN . That is right ; the one administered by the State
Department.
Mr. ANDERSON. I am not now responsible for administering this
part of the Lutheran program , and so I can only refer back to the time
>
I was in Geneva. But I can state that in myopinion we have had a
very favorable, constructive relationship. And I think thatthe people
who administer this program, their caliber, their quality, their imag
ination , their inventiveness, is what has made it effective.We have
found them extremely helpful. They have been very good to work
with. I, myself, would have nothing but compliments .
There are problems, certainly, but in all these programs we are going
to ve problems, but not fundamental problems which prevent con
structive programing.
So, I can say thatmy relationship to the Far Eastern program has
been positive.
Negotiations and discussions have taken place for finding ways to
improve the Far Eastern program. I am not now prepared, however,
to discuss specific suggestions for improving this program .
122 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
Mr. DE HAAN. Are you acquainted with the educational system in
Hong Kong ?
Mr. ANDERSON . No ; this I am not.
Mr. DE HAAN. The reason I askis that you mention primary schools
in your list of possible projects. Now , ina recent report by the Hong
Kong and British authorities it is claimed that for the most part the
goal of universal primary education has been achieved in Hong Kong,
and that the stress should now be on secondary education . I was just
curious whether this was also your impression — that the goal of uni
versal primary education has been , in the main, achieved in Hong
Kong
Mr. ANDERSON. I have not brought with me the document in which
this is mentioned .
I would be hesitant to comment on this right now except to state that
we have received requests foradditional assistance to primary schools.
Mr. DE HAAN . For the building of new schools, or the maintenance
of schools already in operation ?
Mr. ANDERSON. I would have to refer to our project requests.
May I communicate this to you at a later date ?
Mr. DE HAAN. Yes.
I have a couple of general questions here,which, in your answer, you
might relate to the situation in Hong Kong.
Mr. Anderson, how would you view the position of American vol
untary agencies in the overall pattern of American foreign policy ?
What relationship is there between voluntary agenciesand Ameri
can foreign policy in Hong Kong, for example ?
Mr. ANDERSON . Well, first of all, I think there must be close coop
eration between governmental and nongovernmental programs for
the same group of people. There is an area where the interests of
Government and the interests of agencies overlap. We have referred
to these areas as "areas of mutual interest.” In these areas of mutual
interest there can be an effective working relationship between the
Government and voluntary agencies. However, if voluntary agencies
assume responsibility for that which rightly belongs to Government,
for
and if the Government seeks to use agencies as an instrument of then
eign policy and thus determine the policy of a voluntary agency,
I believe there will be problems. The key is to define " areas of com
mon interest” and then work together without compromising the
integrity and purpose of either the Government or the voluntary
agency .
Mr. DE HAAN. Do you believe thisarea of common interest at the
present time is adequately defined in Hong Kong ?
Mr. ANDERSON . Yes. I believe, however, that any refugee problem
must beprimarily a responsibility of Governmen
can be effective where the Government is limited . t,but that agencies
Agencies can oper
ate simply because a human being needs assistance, and for purely
humanitarian reasons .
Does that answer your question ?
Mr. DE HAAN. Yes, somewhat.
I have one final question.
Are you satisfied with the present governmental system of audits and
controls in the Public Law 280 program ?
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 123
Mr. ANDERSON. As you perhaps are aware, Lutheran churches have
various agencies, and I think that is a question which somebody from
Lutheran World Relief would be more competent to answer than I.
Mr. DE HAAN. Would you be willing to submit a statement in
answer to the question !
Mr. ANDERSON. I will pass it on to Lutheran World Relief and have
them contact you .
Mr. DE HAAN. We would appreciatethat very much.
That is all the questions I have, Mr. Charmian.
Senator Hart. Again, Mr. Anderson, thank you very much .
I am sure those who read the record will understand better the scope
and extent of the Lutheran contribution in this field .
Mr. ANDERSON . Thank you.
Senator HART. Our next witness is David Lee.
Mr. Lee, we welcome you. We heard about you a couple of weeks
ago from Mrs. Chennault.
I note you have a statement here, butthere is no biography on it. I
know how reluctant everyone is, or at least everyone who is a politi
cian , to talk about himself. But if you would be good enough for the
record to indicate where you were born and any community activities
that you may now engage in — before you proceed with yourstatement.
STATEMENT OF DAVID LEE, OF CHINESE REFUGEE RELIEF
Mr. LEE . Mr. Chairman , Senator Fong, distinguished members of
the committee, my name is David Lee. I was born in China, in Pei
ping ; that is north China. I have been here in the United States
about 22 years. I am a builder now for 12 years in Washington. I
am an officer of the Chinese Refugee Relief.
Senator Hart. May I ask under what circumstances you were re
ceived in this country ? That is, was it on a visa quota number ?
Mr. LEE. Yes, I was naturalized under the displaced persons bill,
1955 .
Senator Fong. Came here originally as a student ?
Mr. LEE. I originally came as a representative of Nationalist China
during the Second World War, withChinese Defense and Supplies.
(Mr. Lee subsequently submitted biographical information as
follows :)
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION OF DAVID LEE
David Lee was born in 1914, in Tientsin, China. He attended college at Nankai
University, Tientsin, and graduated from the Central Military Academy, Nan
king. In 1939, he came to the United States as a student officer and graduated
from the following schools :
Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga .
Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kans.
Quartermaster Motor Transport School, Camp Holabird, Md.
Armored Force School, Fort Knox, Ky.
During World War II he also served as a representative of the Ministry of
Military Affairs and Training in Chinese Defense Supplies, Washington, D.C.
In 1947, he became Director of Foreign Affairs in the Tientsin municipality .
After the Chinese National Government moved to Formosa in 1950, he served
as Deputy Chief of Staff of Armored Force Command, with the rank of colonel.
Mr. Lee married Jeanne Scott of Louisville, Ky., in 1945. He became a U.S.
citizen in 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have four sons, David, 16, Kelly 14, Stephen
124 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
10, and Wade 7. They now reside at 7030 Radnor Road, Kenwood Park, Md.
Since 1952, Mr. Lee has been a builder in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda .
Mr. LEE. I returned recently from Hong Kong where most of the
refugees are congregated . The city is beautiful,the skyline modern.
But behind the beauty is also ugliness.
I saw little shacks built with a few boards; families living in small
sampans on the river ; the pitiful faces of children in torn clothing .
In the night, thousands sleep on the sidewalks or wherever they can
find a place to lie down. These are the refugees. You have read about
them , and you have seen them on television. But to see them in the
flesh , to look into their wretched faces is a scene that cannot be shut
off like television. I cannot close my eyes and forget.
I stayed in Hong Kong almost 2 months. I talked to the refugees
to find out the trueconditions in Communist China. I was told that
conditions were bad, caused in part by flood and drought, in part by
the Communist system .
In 1959, “ the great leap forward” moved the people to the factories.
Butthereare no longer enoughrawmaterials to keep the factories in
production and famine now stalks the land. So the forward leap has
been reversed ; the factory workers have now been ordered to the
farms. Since 1959, the harvest has been bad. Now in their fourth
year of famine, the people sense the worst may be yet to come. They
have lost hope. This is the reason for the exodus in May. Many
refugees believe there will be a bigger stampede for the border before
the harvest next fall.
We in the United States require about 3,000 calories per day. The
average diet of the Chinese people, before the Communist occupation,
was about 2,300 calories per day. In 1959, their average dropped
below 1,500 calories. No one knows how many calories their meager
ration now contains, but I was told a person eats only two meals a
day. Each meal consists of a few pitiful ingredients,weighing about
two and one-half ounces. Half of this is grain ; the other half a
mixture of leaves, roots, bark, and sometimes sawdust. Meat is a
rarity; cooking oil is extremely scarce. Housewives wrap a piece of
fat in cloth and rub it over the skillet again and again - long after
it has become merely a dirty, greasy rag . Clothing is also rationed
drastically. Patches appear over patches. The average person works
12 hours daily, then isobliged to spend 2 hours in the evening attend
ing Communist indoctrination sessions. In the communes, husbands
and wives meet once a month. There is little privacy, with a curtain
separating the bunks. There is no human dignity left. Refugees
told me they came to Hong Kong seeking not only food but freedom
and dignityand decency.
Of course, hunger is not equally shared in the so -called people's
paradise. The army and party members are privileged and pam F
pered. Technical personnel and intellectuals are next ir priority.
There are revolts from below, but the army still can control them .
However, the soldiers have families and may not wish to see them
hungry. Many refugees hope that the soldiers some day will join
the revolts instead of stopping them . Of the 600 million people
living under these intolerable conditions, less than 2 percent are reg
istered Chinese Communist Party members.
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 125
The central purpose of Chinese Refugee Relief is simply to help the
refugees. They need food, clothing and medical care . We also be
lieve it is importantto have Chinese representation in this relief work,
people who not only know Chinese customs and habits, but truly
understand the Chinese way of thinking. We would like to empha
size the resettlement phaseto accomplish the aims of our slogan“ to
help the refugee to help himself." There are no Chinese on public
relief in this country. These refugees are industrious people, who
want to be independent and regain their dignity. >
We have begun plans for an “Island of Hope," a new haven for
homeless refugees. We have several places under consideration out
side of the United States, where we feel these refugees, if given a
chance and properly organized , could build a community . The near
est one is Lan Tao Island near Hong Kong. It can be developed to
accommodate from 50,000 to 100,000refugees. It also can be used as
a way station for refugeesheading elsewhere in the free world. With
these facilities, we could take down the barbed wire wall.
We also are offering our assistance to the Chinese refugees coming
to this country. Most of them have sponsors, but many need help in
finding proper employment.
We would like to conceive of the refugees in a new light- not just as
people needing help, but people who can help us fight this cold war.
Our plans also call for a Refugee Information Center to gather all the
data and information on the refugee problem .
I would like to stress that we are all volunteers, givingfreely of our
time. We need a lot of help from dedicated people, and we need the
cooperation of other charitable agencies to accomplishour goals.
The flow of refugees has temporarily slowed down. I pray that we
do noi treat the problem lightly and assume that it is ended . The
free world must be prepared to help these people seeking freedom .
We must not be caught unprepared, therebymaking it necessary for
the free world to erect a barbed wire wall and deny these people their
right to liberty. These Chinese people have alwayslooked to Amer
ica for hope. Our help to the refugees keeps the light of freedom
burning. Only this light of hope can give those who are still enslaved
the courage to revolt against the Communist tyranny. These streams
of revolt will form a river of revolution. I believe this hope could
become a realty and is not too far away. It is the only solution to
save 600 million people from slavery. This is also the prayer of the
Hong Kong refugees.
Senator Hart. Thank you, Mr. Lee, fora very eloquent statement.
Senator Fong. Mr. Lee, could you tell us something about the
Chinese Refugee Relief Organization that you represent?
When was it formed, where is its headquarters?
Mr. LEE. We were formed June 1 this year, right after this mass
refugee exodus in the middle of May.
Senator Fong. You have only begun your work .
Mr. LEE. Yes.
Now , we have an office on K Street, 1612 K Street.
Mrs. Chenault is the president, Mr. Anderson is the secretary , my
self is treasurer .
Senator Fong. You said you have just returned from Hong Kong,
Mr. Lee. Could you tell us whether there is enough food for the peo
87544-62
126 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
ple in Hong Kong, for those who are termed refugees ; food, clothing,
shelter ?
Mr. LEE. From my observation, I do not believe they had enough ,
because I personally saw a lot of people suffering from malnutrition.
I was told by a doctor that the most part of them may lose their eye
sight if nothingis done inthe near future.
Apparently the food did not have enough vitamins to sustain their
health .
Senator Fong. Did you make inquiry as to whether the amount of
assistance that the U.Š. Government is giving to the government of
Hong Kong would take care ofthese people sufficiently ?
Mr. LEE . I asked about assistance, and I found out we gave a lot 1
of money. There could be more. It could be handled in a better
form .
I appreciatedafter I came backand learned that a lot of work has
been done. But I think more food, more different kinds of food , and
medical supplies, should be given to them . And above all, I believe
there should be some kind of_better organized on the refugee part.
Right now, if you are in Hong Kong you will see they are all over
in different places. There could be more housing, better environment
for the refugees. After all, they have been there over 10 years, alot
of them . Some of them , after a few years, are still living in that
condition .
I think there is room for improvement.
Senator Fong. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Senator HART. Again, Mr. Lee, our thanks. And I do hope that as
the weeks go on , your organization's efforts will find a hearty public
response .
Mr. LEE . Thank you.
Senator Hart . Now we will hear from Mr. Samuel E. Yee .
STATEMENT OF SAMUEL E. YEE, CHINESE -AMERICAN CITIZENS
ALLIANCE , SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF .; ACCOMPANIED BY NGAI
HO HONG AND EARL LOUIE
Mr. YEE. Mr. Chairman , members of the subcommittee, as back
ground for my presentation, my name is Samuel E.Yee. I'have been
a practicing attorney for 16 or 17 years. For the past decade I have
been assistant city attorney for the city and countyof San Francisco.
I have had considerable activity with the Optimist Club and the
Lions Club in San Francisco, which , as all of you know, is popularly
known as the largest Chinatown outside of China. I have been presi
dent of those two organizations.
I have also been president of the golf club there, and various other
organizations. I have served as director on various community com
mittees, including two terms as director of the American Cancer Soc
iety in San Francisco, and also of the American Red Cross.
Myappearancehere today,however,is as the grand secretary of the
Chinese -American Citizens Alliance .
Senator Fong. Mr. Chairman, I can vouch for Mr. Yee. I have
known him for quite a few years now. He is a very, very respected
member of the community in San Francisco. He is widely known.
He is a very able lawyer .
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 127
We are very happy to have you with us.
Mr. YEE.Thank you, Senator.
Senator Hart. I am very grateful to have this kind of introduction.
Mr. YEE. I regret only I am not from Hawaii, Mr. Chairman .
For the record, Mr. Chairman , I would like to introduce and read
into the record a letter I have here from theHonorable George Chris
topher, mayor of the city and county of San Francisco ..
To the Chairman and Members of the Refugee and Escapee Subcommittee of the
Senate Judiciary Committee :
Mr. Chairman and members of this subcommittee, owing to the fact that San
Francisco has the largest Chinese population of any city in the Nation , the matter
of being of assistance to Chinese escapee refugees now residing in Hong Kong,
British Colony, is a matter of particular interest to the city and county of San
Francisco. Because of budgetary limitations, charter and other statutory pro
visions, Chinese refugees must of necessity be voluntary.
Following a recent meeting which I held on this meeting with leading citizens
of the Chinese community of San Francisco, including my own Chinese Advisory
Committee, San Francisco Chinese people now are consulting further among
themselves to develop a voluntary program which might help in alleviating the
plight of refugees still in Hong Kong, and in facilitating the relocation of any
such Chinese immigrant that might come to our city.
We assure you that any Chinese refugees who may be legally admitted to the
United States will be welcomed by the San Franciscans, with our traditional
friendship for the Chinese people.
Sincerely yours,
GEORGE CHRISTOPHER , Mayor.
Senator Hart. Mr. Yee, we do thank Mayor Christopher for that
kind of reaction. It is not surprising. I am sure it is typical of the
tradition of San Francisco . But it is wonderful to have itspelled out
for us, and put into the record here.
Mr. YEE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman .
Senator Fong. Mr. Yee, when Mayor Christopher said the Chinese
refugees would be welcome in San Francisco, did he imply that the
Chinese community would be able to take care of them ?
Mr. YEE. No, he didnot imply that, but I think he was" under the
gun” in this matter, Mr. Chairman, because, as you recall, when the
New York Giants first came to San Francisco, Willy Mays had trou
ble getting accommodations, and the mayor offered him accommoda
tions . And I think the mayor certainly will stretch a point here, and
do the best he can for any refugee.
Senator Fong. In San Francisco, there are many Chinese residing
there ?
Mr. YEE . That is correct.
Senator Fong. And almost every surname has a society, and these
societies do take care of their people ?
Mr. YEE. That is correct .
Senator Fong. Help them in every way, tosee that they find employ
ment, help them in every way to keep off of the public welfare rolls ?
Mr. YEE. That is true .
Senator Fong. See that they keep their dignity and self -respect ?
Mr. YEE. That is right, Senator Fong.
For the record, as I have already indicated, I am making a state
ment here on behalf of the Chinese-American Citizens Alliance.
At the outset may we state that the Chinese -American Citizens Al
liance is an organization of American citizens of Chinese descent with
the grand lodge situated and located in San Francisco, Calif., and
128 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
various local lodges in thecities of San Francisco , Los Angeles, Oak
land, Portland,Chicago, Salinas, Fresno, Houston, San Antonio and
Albuquerque. This organization has a long and continued history
of more than 50 years activity and work in promoting the general
welfare and status of its members and the Chinese communities
throughout the country .
In addition, the concerted and unified program of the grand lodge
and its local lodges are geared to the quickening of the spirit of Ameri
can patriotism ,to insure not only the legal rights of all Chinese
American citizens but to secure to them equal economical and political
opportunities and concurrently to continually reaffirm to them their
correlative rights, duties and obligations as such citizens.
The recentinflux of Chinese escapee-refugees from the Chinese
mainland into the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong and the re
sultant attempts andefforts by the British authorities therein to cope
with the various problems confronting them have resulted in world
wide publicity, not only as to the political ideologies involved , but as
to the present responsibilities for alleviating the economic andsocial
problems faced by these escapee-refugees presently in Hong Kong.
Various groups and organizations in the Metropolitan San Francisco
Bay Area, both Chinese and otherwise, are presently vitally interested
and concerned in rendering aid and sustenance to these unfortunate
displaced persons, many of whom are relatives and loved ones.
As partially stated in the preamble to the Senate resolution now
pending before this honorable subcommitteee, political considerations
demand that we apply the most liberal and generous doctrine and
criteria in granting refuge and asylum to these unfortunates from the
mainland of China.
In addition, any consideration or refuge you may recommend after
this hearing will be entirely consistent and in full accord with the
purpose and policy of the United States in joining with all member
nations of the United Nations in promoting the World Refugee Year
program during the period from July 1, 1959, to June 30, 1960.
A favorable recommendation on the resolution before you is called
for by this country's traditional principles of humanity, sympathy,
and interest in the welfare of other peoples of the world. The World
Refugee Year was the initial step in aworldwide effort to aid in re
solving the world refugee problem . The results under that pilot
program are both gratifying and enlightening, but much remains to
be done. Much can be accomplished here by you.
The provisions of Senate Resolution 346 will serve to focus at
tentionand interest, not only on the refugee situation now existing
in Hong Kong, but throughout the world t, hey will encourage addi
tional opportunities by both governmental, private and voluntary
agencies for the summary solution of the various facets of the refugee
situation on a purely humanitarian, moral and charitable basis, and
of prime import, with the freely expressed wishes of the displaced
refugees themselves. Your resolution as presently drafted represents
a conscientious and well-planned effort to alleviate, not only the im
mediate, but the long-termed, problems created by the Hong Kong
situation.
The opportunities for immediate and permanent refugee solutions,
through parole and voluntary repatriation, resettlement or integra
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 129
tion, with due regard for humanitarian and moral considerations and
the wishes of the refugees themselves and the encouragement of addi
tional financial and other material contributions from other sources
engendered by your favorable action here are all clearly within the
statement of purpose behind the promotion of the recent World
Refugee Year.
Your action here will stand forth as the brilliant and shining ex
emplar for others to follow . It should bring home to all nations and
thepeoples of the world that the principlesthat motivated ourpart
in the World Refugee Year did not end there but are brought forth
again and again when the situationdemands as in the present instance .
The urgency of the situation in Hong Kong coupled with the pub
licity surrounding this hearing resulted recently in a meeting of lead
ing members of the Chinese community, the press and the mayor of
the city and county of San Francisco . As a result of that meeting,
Hon . George Christopher, chief executive officer of that great city by
the Golden Gate will presently recommend to the board of super
visors the immediate passage of a resolution memorializing the Presi
dent and Congress for favorable action on the resolution before you.
I might state parenthetically that the Chinese community have
formulated plans calling for public donation of financial aid, food,
and other material aid for the benefit of the organizations in Hong
Kong.
Atthe same time, the mayor will issue a public proclamation calling
on all the people of the city and county of San Francisco for these
donations.
However, the mayor has indicated , and I will so advise the China
town Committee, that any work or any contribution that will be made
by this committee in Chinatown will be made within legal limitation,
and will not violate the jurisdiction of any State, Federal or foreign
government.
Before any of these donations, whether it is money or other material
goods, is sent to Hong Kong, we will have proper clearance from the
authorities in Hong Kong.
Now , directing our attention to the provisions of the resolution :
This organization is in full and hearty accord with each particular
section of the same for the reasons expressedabove. However, we do
wish to comment briefly on the provisions of section 2 relativeto the
parole provisions under Public Law 86–648. As presently worded the
Tatter act provides that ,
the Attorney General shall discontinue paroling refugee -escapees pursuant to
section 1 of this act on July 1, 1962.
We strongly recommend an extension of the cutoff date for the
paroling of such refugee -escapees. Section 2 , Resolution 346, further
provides that preference in paroling refugees should be given
to family reunion cases, to those who have already applied for admission to
the United States, and to professionals, specialists and skilled workers who can
make a significant contribution to American society .
Under ordinary conditions we have no objection to the further
paroling of those refugees who ( 1 ) have already applied for admission,
and (2 ) professionals,specialists and skilled workers.
130 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
The feeling of this organization, however, is that these two groups
have been the chief beneficiaries in the past. Due to the urgency of
the present situation and in line with recent administrative and legis
lativepolicies as they relate to the provisions of the Immigration
and Nationality Act we feel that preference at this time should be
given solely to family reunion cases and to those who are relatives of
citizens and permanent residents in this country,
Several other cogentfactors compel this preference. Paroled refu
gees with family ties in this country will be assured of temporary
financial and material aid without the danger of becoming public
charges. In addition, existence of family ties will create less security
risk problems. Assistance and job opportunities, where necessary,
will be created by relatives and friends without competition to local
job-seekers. Such refugees will find it easier to be assimilated into
the proverbial“ melting-pot of America."
Finally, many, if notmost, of these refugees have been supported
by funds sent to them by local resident citizens, friends and relatives.
Termination of this huge outgo of funds will result in great benefit to
this country in line with our recent efforts to obtain a more favorable
monetary balance.
We further recommend that after a proper security check that
documentation for qualification as a refugee be kept at a minimum ,
and that an administrative ruling be made establishing a maximum
charge or fee, where such is permitted, by those individuals or organi
zations assisting in the processing of an application on behalf of a
refugee or a sponsor for arefugee.
Now I know, members of the committee, that various solutions have
been offered to you here prior to my appearance, and probably by other
speakers after me.
Our organization realized that the refugee problem is a continuing
one . And the other speakers probably will be more cognizant of
conditions as they exist in Hong Kongat the present time. But we
do feel that your resolution at this time, 346,is a stopgap measure.
It pertains to the immediate crisis that is in Hong Kong.
We have not endeavored to advise you or make any recommenda
tion to this committee relative to any long-term program , as far as the
immigration law is concerned . We feel that, as I have already indi
cated , it is a stopgap measure to relieve the refugee problem in Hong
Kong.
However, our organization has made a continued study of the
immigration law and the naturalization law since the date of the
present act, back in 1952.
Now, we have studied the provisions of various acts introduced
in both Houses of Congress. And we find at the present time that
Senate bill 3043, I think introduced by the chairman himself here,
meets the requirements for amending, revising, and deleting certain
portions of the present Immigration Act, which has great merit.
Our committee on immigration of our organization, the grand
lodge, has concluded that this represents one of the most conscientious
efforts up to the present time. As a result of that, approximately a
month ago we had passed a resolution endorsing this particular act,
and we recommended to all our local lodges that this act be passed ,
and we have asked all the local lodges to contact their individual
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 131
House of Representatives Members, and also their Senators, in sup
port of Senate bill 3043.
However, I realize that this is no place to consider Senate bill 3043,
although we do personally feel that this is the act that is called for,
not only as President Eisenhower did some years ago, but also as
part of President Kennedy's program for the revision of the Immi
gration Act, which certainly is needed .
I thank the members of this committee for making it possible for
me to be here today.
Senator HART. We thank you very much , Mr. Yee. Thank you
forthe added comment with respect to this basic immigration bili.
Having made your determination that the proposal is, at least on
its face, adesirable one, I congratulateyou on thepractical steps you
have now initiated to try and bring it into being.
Mr. YEE.. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Fong. You know there are 25 cosponsors on this Immigra
tion Act, with Senator Hart ?
Mr. YEE. Yes, Senator Fong.
Senator HART. Including Senator Fong.
Senator Fong. I am quite sure that the act should not have too
much trouble in the Senate. But I think there should be a lot of
work inthe House. Maybe your lodge could help us.
Mr. YEE . Yes, we have been warned of that, and we shall make
every effort, Senator, toward the House part, too.
Senator Fong. I am very happythat you have brought to our at
tention that the parole provision of the immigration law will termi
nate - on July1 did you say ?
Mr. YEE. Yes. That is the cutoff date under the law as it is pres
ently worded. I have not heard of any extension of that date.
Senator Fong. So if that goes into effect, there will be no more
paroling of any refugees in the country. So there is only a month
more for the parole of refugees in this country.
You made a point of paroling people who have relatives in this
country ,and that is a very fine point.
I think your reasons for having the parole system extend preferen
tially tothesepeople have a lot ofmerit.
Mr. YEE . We feel this way , Senator: Since we have before us at
the present time the consideration of a resolution 346, which I have
indicated is a stopgap thing, on that basis we do not feel, and we do
not advocate, theopen -doorpolicy ofpermitting refugees to come in.
I thinkthat is developingsomething for along -rangeprogram , some
thing that might be added on to Senator Hart's bill in the Senate.
For the present time, we should only consider the admission of a
few thousand refugees at most. And that is not meant as a permanent
solution to the refugee problem in Hong Kong, but more as an ex
emplar, and as an example for other nations and other people, to
show that this country is cognizant of the condition there , and that
at least if we do not offer a permanent solution, we are atleast offer
ing a temporary one, to show that our heart is in the right place.
Senator Fong. That is a very fine place.
The American Government should take the leadership in showing
to the world that we do believe in human dignity, and we do feel that
a man who hopes for freedom and liberty should have an opportunity.
You did refer here in your statement to the fact that 1960 was
132 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
WorldRefugee Year. Probably you did not rememberthat, although
we took the initial step in having it named as World Refugee Year.
We took the lead by words, but not by action .
Mr. YEE. I think the statistics would indicate that, too .
Senator FONG . By action , we were followers, rather than leaders.
We did saythat if other nations would take three refugees, we would
take aa fourth one.
Mr. YEE . That is right. We are supported to take 25 percent, but
we did not follow on that.
Senator Fong. Yes. And then we closed our eyes to the refugees in
the Middle East and the Far East. And Senator Hart will remember
our fight to give the Attorney General the authority to bring in 4,500
refugees from the Middle East and the Far East.
We prevailed in the Senate by an amendment to the immigration
bill that was before us,but in conference we lost that.
So World Refugee Year does not stand out as a beacon of American
leadership, but rather more as an example of followship.
Senator Hart. I shall never forget that debate on the Senate floor
when Senator Fong spoke to the conscience of the Senate and affected
emotions very strongly. That is why the bill won in the Senate. Too
bad you could not have made the same speech in the House.
Mr. Johnson ?
Mr. JOHNSON . Well, I only wanted to call attention to what Senator
Fong hasalready noted that for Public Law 86-648 to be applicable
to the refugees in Hong Kong, it would not only need an extension
beyond June 30, but would also need the amendment which Senator
Fong offered on the Senate floor 2 years ago.
Senator HART. This is not - I doubt if I can frame it as a question.
And itis a dangerousthing to put on a record, II suspect . But you
speak, I take it, for all of the Chinese-American community, young
as well as old, when you state that you have absolute confidence that
Chinese refugees would be received and welcomed in the Chinese
American community in San Francisco.
Is it your impression that the young Chinese-American feels just
as strongly about this as the man of 70 who has spent the first 30 or
40 yearsof his life on the mainland of China ?
Mr. YEE. I would say this, Mr. Chairman : The feeling for accept
ance of these refugees, without any qualification, would come gen
erally from the older Chinese and the middle-aged Chinese of the
community, and also those who arein business. I am afraid that with
the second- or third -generation Chinese, who were born and raised
here, and who are removed one or two generations from the first
Chinese that came over here, I think their interests are not so closely
allied with the people in Hong Kong, because of the fact that they
have little or no family relationshipwith those people, and by the
fact that the younger generation, the second, third, andeven the fourth
generation, are mostly those who are highly educated, working for
civil service, and who have no difficulty in finding work, and are not
cognizant of the problem that is existing in Hong Kong.
So that is whyI say it is purely withthe first and second generation,
probably, and those who do have relatives in China, who will accept
them , and not the younger generation.
Now, my organization that I represent is the leading Chinese
organization of American citizens. But they do — and they have
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 133
worked for more than 50 years on this problem . And they are the
ones that are taking an interest.
Now , prior to my coming out here, with my colleagues Mr. Louie
and Mr. Hong, I was approached by the president of two large Chinese
corporations out there, chainstores, a market, and another organiza
tion, and they were very interested in getting these refugees over here,
because they felt that they could give an opportunity for work to
those people.
And, as a matter of fact, one of the presidents of a chainstore,
grocery, in particular, asked me whether it was possible if they can
sponsor so many refugees over here.
I wonder if that would answer your question.
Senator HART. I should explain , I am sure, why I asked it as I did.
I think it is pretty evident that across America the concern of the
younger generation in our large ethnic groups is not as sharp — the
sympathy which you find with the olderman or woman is not there.
Indeed, you get a generation or two removed, and the reaction to
immigration would suggest the fellow had been here to greet the
pilgrims. I was just wondering whether it was different in the
Chinese community .
Mr. YEE . Some people might disagree with me, but I do not think
it is any different from anyother racial group .
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
Senator HART. Thank you very much .
Next we will hear fromMr. Irving S. K. Chin.
Mr. Chin, we welcome you, sir.
STATEMENT OF IRVING SHEU KEE CHIN , ATTORNEY OF
HOLTZMANN , WISE & SHEPARD, NEW YORK , N.Y.
Mr. CHIN. Mr. Chairman, Senator Fong, and members of the com
mittee, at the outset,I would like to express my profound appreciation
to this committee for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the
Chinese community of the United States regarding the Chinese
refugee situation.
I am Irving Sheu Kee Chin, an American born inChicago , Ill.,
whose parents originally came from Canton, China. I received my
B.A. in history from Yale University. Upon graduation, I was com
missioned into the U.S. Air Force and served as an intelligence officer.
Upon separation from service, I entered Harvard Law School and
graduated in 1958. I am associated with Holtzmann, Wise & Shep
ard , a Wall Street type firm in the general practice of law.
It is with a great sense of responsibility that I undertake the im
mense task of speaking for the Chinese community on this vital issue
confronting us. My contacts with the Chinese community have been
close anddeeply-rooted through civic organizations, business associa
tions, and student groups. From my experience as president of the
Chinatown Junior Chamber of Commerce, dean of the Chinese Chris
tian Youth Conference of the East Coast, and legal counsel to the
Chinatown Trade Association of New York, I feel confident that most
of the statements contained herein represent the heartfelt convictions
of the Chinese people though I would not have the temerity to sug
gest that all the opinions are universally shared .
134 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
CHINESE COMMUNITY REACTION
We in the Chinese community warmly endorse and feel fresh en
couragement from President Kennedy's humanitarian position .
Furthermore, we are, indeed , most grateful to this committee for its
sincere and diligent efforts to deal with this most serious problem .
All Chinese in the United States, whether born here or in China,
share a common feeling toward the Chinese refugees in Hong Kong,
to wit, sympathy mixed with grave concern crystallized into a firm
desire to help their less fortunate brethren . The flood of refugees
manifests the utter failure of the " great leap forward" and the
"communes" system as the attempt to accelerateindustrialization has
been at the tragic price of human lives. The victims of such policies,
i.e., the refugees in Hong Kong, deserve the combined aid of the U.S.
Government and the Chinese community.
The Chinese here are in universal agreement as to the necessity of
increasing the number of refugees permitted into this country by
emergency legislation . The suffering masses crying for help merit
an answering call of aid from us, not only for humanitarian reasons,
but also because it would constitute demonstrative proof to the non
Communist world and those nations presently Red enslaved, that the
United States stands ready to help her friends against Communist
oppression .
While the final decision on admission of refugees must naturally be
based on these hearings and rest on the recommendations of this com
mittee, the hope shared by all is that the number of refugees per
mitted entry be a liberal one, after properly weighing all the deter
minating factors concerned . Not only will the Chinese in the United
States and overseas watch the legislation carefully , but also all
orientals throughouttheworld. The reason is that the United States
opened her doors to the Hungarian freedom fighters after their valient
effort failed . Furthermore , the Cuban refugees who have numbered
over 100,000 thus far are still migrating to the United States fleeing
Castro's megalomaniac rule. We both warmly support the entry of
the Hungarian and Cubans and thoroughly endorse this action by
America which still remains a haven and a beacon light for the op
pressed. Similarly, we hope that the Chinese will be accorded a liberal
number for entry to destroy, once and for all, the charge from some
parts ofthe world that the U.S. relegates the orientals on a different
standard, namely, "second class people ". The soundest refutation of
these charges would be a generous number of refugees admitted. Then
the prestige of the United Statesas a truly democratic leader of the
free world would be strengthened and solidified, particularly among
the nonwhite areas of the world . Such action would prove beyond
the shadow of aa doubt that the United States displays equal treatment
to all peoples regardless of race, color or creed.
Concomitant with emergency legislation for refugee entry should
be a thorough revision and more liberal increase in the annual Chinese
immigration quota. Outof the 154,657 immigrants allowed bystatute
to enter these shores each year, only 105 are allotted to the Chinese.
Some quotas from other countries are as high as 65,361 from Great
Britain and Northern Ireland which quota at times passes unfilled.
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 135
One discriminatory feature contained in the present immigration laws
leads to an anomalous and illogical result. A Chinese born in London,
England, as a bona fide British subjectwhen he applies for immigra
tion to the United States is placed not in the largeBritish quota,but
rather is added to the already small 105 Chinese quota, just because
he is Chinese. Essential changes remedying such inequitable results
are strongly advocated.
THE CHINESE CONTRIBUTION TO THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE
The Chinese people have contributed to the American way of life
by being professionally useful citizens, and by being a model for both
family structure as well as a close -knit community group . We, who
are children of two cultures, feel indebted to both. In addition we
can readily see how the people have added the best of the Chinese
culture to the "melting pot” knownas America.
Once given the advantages of education and the freedom of oppor
tunity as it exists in America, the modern Chinese integrates well into
the American society while simultaneously contributing his talents
toward American growth and progress. Thus, the professions of
medicine, law , psychiatry, teaching, engineering, and science are
staffed with Chinese who are making their markin the professional
world. Engineers of Chinese ancestry now work in perfecting elec
tronic defense projects and missiles for the protection of America as
well as being involved on the space satellite program .
The presentation of the highly coveted Nobel Prize award to two
young Chinese here in America for their contributions in the field of
physics illustrates how well the Chinese are integrating into the society
and contributing to America's progress. It should be noted that many
of the refugees on the proposed first preference quota have professional
skills and qualifications and will eventually be of service to the
community.
In the area of sociology, the strong family ties, inner control and
discipline found in the Chinese family have been repeatedly hailed
and cited for the nonexistence of juvenile delinquency. The respect
for law and order coupled with the high degree of family pride and
training are factors derived from the Chinese culture. The industri
ous family working together will also be characterized in the new
refugees.
Another proud record set by the Chinese people is the absence of a
need for public welfare or for the care of the aged where the Chinese
community is concerned .
Once again , the Confucian filial piety and respect for the elders as
practiced in the community eliminatesthe need for welfare workers.
The aged , the sick, the less fortunate — all their wants are satisfied.
Thus,whatever the needs of the new refugees may be, we anticipate
that the Chinese community will once again rise to the task of helping
our neighbors if any unforeseen exigencies should occur.
We are quite confident that there will be no public charges, no juve
nile delinquency , no unemployment problem as these new immigrant
Americans eagerly await the richestblessing of all — a new life .
136 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
PROPOSALS FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT AID
The following suggestions are offered only as possible recommenda
tions to this committee and are made in that spirit. I fully realize
that the committee has access to facts, data and Government policies
which the public does not have available. In the final analysis, the
committee is the best judge of which proposals are feasible of accom
plishment. Itis, therefore, respectfully requested that the U.S. Gov
ernment consider the following:
1. Increase the number of refugees from Hong Kong permitted
entry into the United States by emergency powers and legislation to
a reasonable number after weighing the human needs of the refugees
versus the responsibilities of the U.S. Government toward its citizens.
2. Increase the annual immigration quota over the present 105
figure and eliminate certain discriminatory features of the present
laws.
3. Initiate through the UnitedNationsa program whereby all coun
a
tries throughout the world would relax their immigration restrictions
to permit Chinese refugees.
4. Direct assistance by the U.S. Government to the Hong Kong
refugees when the situation so demands for food, clothing, and hous
ing ; supplying transportation to refugees for resettlement or entry
into the United States.
5. Investigate thefeasibilityof resettlement of Chinese refugees on
islands over which the United Nations has Trusteeship responsibility.
6. Propose to the Inter -American Organization the desirability of
allowing more Chinese workers in, particularly in countries which
already had an active program to obtain Hong Kong labor even prior
to the recent Hong Kongheadlines.
7. Establishment of rehabilitation centers similar to the Hungarian
Reception Center which would be staffed primarily with Chinese lin
guists. These centers will serve as processing centers on entry.
8. Elimination of the requirements for citizenship in some nonsen
sitive area work where the individual would be eligible except for said
requirement.
9. Coordinating with Taiwan to see that refugees desiring to be re
settled there be given the opportunity to do so .
10. Propose through the United Nations or by multilateral agree
ments for joint effort to build additional housing units, hospitals, and
schools either in Hong Kong, if possible, or outside.
THE SUPPORTING ROLE OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN THE REFUGEE
PROGRAM
The Chinese community has an important role to play in the ad
mission and adjustment of refugees. It is incumbent that we orga
nize all our skills and talents to assist these cold war victims who will
be living in a completely new environment with the expectant inci
dental problems connected thereto.
A genuine aroused interest and enthusiasm permeates the various
organizations with whom I have talked and themutual feeling is to
help the incoming refugees. We welcome the challenge and possess
the ability and capability of accomplishing our goals. In addition,
we feel that not only is there an opportunity to actively help those
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 137
refugees in Hong Kong with material needs as food, clothing and
housing, but as equally important, to work on a nationally coordi
nated effort to help the newcomers adjust as smoothly and as quickly
as possible.
We are cooperating with the Chinese refugee relief which has the
endorsement of President Kennedy. Mrs. Claire Chennault, its
president, met with us in New York City last Sunday to discuss with
various Chinese and non- Chinese groups and individuals the possi
bility of such a coordinated effort with regional committees. We
hope to have an effective New York committee organized soon .
Speaking as the president of the Chinatown Junior Chamber of
Commerce , we anticipate working with the Chinese refugee relief
as wellas with church groups and international organizations in
( a) Fund-raising campaigns to finance projects in Hong Kong and
to be used on entering refugees.
( 6 ) Offering our bilingualcapabilities from the community in the
rehabilitation centers, guidance seminars, and vocational training
centers where interpreters may be needed .
( c) Organizing a clearinghouse for information as to work needs of
the employers and employees, immigration bottlenecks, et cetera .
It is my wish to propose that both the State and National levels of
the junior chamber of commerce adopt “HongKongRefugees” as its
community project. Thus,each Chinese family might be assisted by
the local junior chamber of commerce group whichwould take on a
. >
sustained " welcome wagon " approach. It is perhaps fitting that this
year's World Congress of the Junior Chamber ofCommerce Inter
national will be held in Hong Kong. It is to be desired that those
young men throughout the world, meeting in Hong Kongmight make
their presence felt in their respective governments to aid this cause.
These organizational plans to help the new incoming refugee to
the United States can only be accomplished after legislation is pro
mulgated from this committee. This matter, gentlemen , lies in your
capable hands. It is my earnest appeal to this committee on behalf
of the Chinese community of the United States to heed the humani
tarian call ; to show that America continues its long friendship with
the Chinese people in contradistinction to the Red regime now in
power ; to give the opportunity to those refugees to produce someday
another Albert Einstein or another Nobel Prize winning Chinese ; to
demonstrate beyond a doubt that the United States practices what it
preaches about equality by putting democracy into action ; to show that
the melting pot theory is fact, not fantasy ; and to prove that America
is still the land of opportunity .
Let these new immigrants feel the thrill of coming to the " land of
the free and the home of the brave." Let them experience the hope
and joy pounding in their breasts as they view the Statue of Liberty
and hear these immortal wordsechoingonce again :
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
Gentlemen , I thank you for your kind attention.
Senator HART. Mr. Chin , thank you .
138 REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO
That is a statement which, for many reasons, bears reading and re
reading by many, many people.
The record will include also the summary biography which you have
attached .
( The biographical sketch follows :)
IRVING SHEU KEE CHIN
Born : Chicago , Ill.
Yale University, B.A. History, 1953 :
1. S. Wells Williams Scholarship holder.
2. Scholar of the second rank ( Dean's list ) .
3. Undergraduate Deacon.
4. Yale Chinese Students Club .
5. Yale Glee Club .
6. Distinguished Military Student USAF ROTC.
7. Dwight Hall Christian Association ; Inter -Church Council.
8. Far Eastern Club .
USAF, Intelligence Office, 1953–55 :
1. 4602d Air Intelligence Service Squadron under Headquarters ADC
whose mission was the interrogation of enemy crewmen in the event of
enemy attack ; training in area studies, languages, Morse code, mountain
climbing, swamp survival, communications, airborne operations, and tech
nical intelligence.
2. Briefing officer to General Agee of the 9th Air Division .
3. Third prizewinner in all -service national and international essay contest
in 1954 on “ What America Means to Me ” sponsored by the Freedom Founda
tion of Valley Forge.
4. Citation from Secretary of the U.S. Air Force on this award .
Harvard Law School, 1955-58 :
1. Elected by the Class of 1958 to Class Committee.
2. Appointed by the Harvard Corporation to the Board of Freshman
Advisers of Harvard College.
3. Freshman Proctor of Haryard College.
4. Member of the Faculty Club.
5. Chairman of the Chinese Christian Youth Conference of the East
Coast.
( a ) Delegates from New York, Boston, Washington , Cleveland, Balti
more, Toronto, and Philadelphia .
( 6 ) Sponsoring Churches (New York, Washington, Boston , Phila
delphia ) .
Holtzmann, Wise & Shepard, New York , N.Y.
1. President of the Chinatown Junior Chamber of Commerce.
2. Dean of the Chinese Christian Youth Conference of the East Coast.
3. Legal Counsel to the Chinatown Trade Association of New York .
4. Member of the Chinese Lawyers Association, American Bar Associa
tion , New York County Bar Association, and New York State Bar
Association .
5. Reserve officer of USAFR .
Senator HART. I note that you were born in Illinois, but your
parents were born in China.
Mr. CHIN. That is correct.
Senator Hart. The record earlier I think may have indicated this
if not, it is a statement that might be repeated in any event, for the
understanding of the witnesses, and the others who read it.
It is quite true that the Committee on the Judiciary in the Senate
is responsible for the development and the handling of legislation
which would direct the admission of refugees, and which would
change the basic immigration laws.
This subcommittee of the Committee on the Judiciary, however,
does not have the responsibility or authority to process the legislation
itself. This is the responsibility of the Subcommittee on Immigration.
REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND MACAO 139
The responsibility of this subcommittee is to advise the Senate and
the Committee on the Judiciary with respect to problems across the
world involving refugees from communism .
I say that before responding to some of the specific points that you
make in this excellent paper .
Senator Fong and I certainly agree with you that there is need for
change in the basic immigration admission policy. You have spelled
it out here.
You cite as one aspect a Chinese born in England, a bona fide
British subject, who must find his place in the long line of the tiny
Chinese quota, instead of the lineof the much larger and not totally
used British quota . This is a problem I see personally .
Just across the river from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario, a 10 - cent
bus ride from downtown Detroit-- the same rules apply to a Chinese
born there.
There are so many of these basic features about our immigration
policy that must raise a question in the minds of others elsewhere in
the world about the sincerity of our proclamation that we do measure
every man as an individual .
Your statement of it is wonderfully well done. I end up as I be
gan — I hope many, many people will read it and think about it.
Senator Fong ?
Senator FONG . Mr. Chairman , I thank you for a very, very fine,
comprehensive statement on this whole problem . I note that you did