Senate, California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Senate Resolution No. 52

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

Relative to Syrian refugees

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.

Senate Resolution No. 52 read and adopted by the Senate September 11, 2015.

Attest: _______________________________________

Secretary of the Senate