P1 1WHEREAS, Since 2011, an estimated 9 million Syrians have
2left their homes to escape war, more than 4 million have fled the
3country all together to escape civil war and violence, and 6.5
4million are internally displaced within Syria; and
5WHEREAS, The number of Syrian refugees rapidly increased
6as the conflict worsened and the number is expected to grow
7exponentially in the next year; and
8WHEREAS, the United Nations refugee agency has asked the
9United States of America and other wealthy countries to open their
10doors to the most vulnerable victims of the conflict; and
11WHEREAS, the United Nations High Commissioner for
12Refugees has referred more than 16,000 case files to the United
13States for consideration in the last year; however, the United States
14has admitted fewer than 1,500 Syrian refugees; and
15WHEREAS, In the past, the United States admitted half of all
16cases, but during this crisis has accepted far fewer cases; and
17WHEREAS, In September 2015, the State Department
18announced the United States of America would accept 10,000
19more Syrian refugees next year; and
20WHEREAS, Millions of Syrian refugees are desperate for
21stability and security; and
22WHEREAS, Civil war in Syria has ripped the country apart;
23and
24WHEREAS, Approximately 3,000 refugees, including mothers,
25fathers, and children, have died attempting to flee Syria by crossing
P2 1the Mediterranean Sea and thousands more have died in Syria due
2to war; now, therefore, be it
3Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the United
4States of America has a moral obligation to assist innocent Syrian
5civilians; and
6Resolved, That the Senate urges the President to dramatically
7increase the number of Syrian refugees allowed into the United
8States OF America; and
9Resolved, That the Senate urges the President of the United
10States to work with the United Nations and other countries to
11preserve life and dignity for Syrian refugees; and be it further
12Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
13this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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