BILL NUMBER: SR 52	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senators Lara, Bates, Hall, Hancock, Jackson, Leno,
Leyva, Liu, Mitchell, Nguyen, Pan, Pavley, and Wolk

                        SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

   Relative to Syrian refugees.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



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