Letter from Edwin Edwards, Governor of the State of Louisiana, to President Gerald R. Ford regarding the Indochina refugee resettlement program.

[typed] Honorable Gerald Ford Page 2 September 13, 1975 Please be assured of the deep concern of Louisianians in this humanitarian endeavor. When I can be of further assistance, please advise. Sincerely, [signature] Edwin Edwards [typed] EDWIN EDWARDS EE:bdh c: Mr. John S. D. Eisenhower, Chairman President's Advisory Committee on Refugees Washington, D. C. 20506 Mrs. Julia Vadala Taft, Director Interagency Task Force Washington, D. C. 20506 Mr. Stuart Clarke, Regional Director Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Regional Office 1114 Commerce Street Dallas, Texas 75202 Mr. Floyd D. Brandon, Commissioner Department of Health, Education, ad Welfare Regional Office 1114 Commerce Street Dallas, Texas 75202 Mr. Jerry Stephens Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Regional Office 1114 Commerce Street Dallas, Texas 75202 [circular seal at lower right] GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY [handwritten in top left corner; unclear] C c [or C followed by check mark] [dot] 4 [circular seal at top left] STATE OF LOUISIANA UNION JUSTICE CONFIDENCE [graphic of pelican in center] [printed below seal] EDWIN EDWARDS GOVERNOR [printed letterhead, centered] State of Louisiana EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Baton Rouge [at top right] [handwritten and circled] 2 [typed] EXECUTIVE [handwritten] NO 18 -2/CO 1 (Indochina) ST 18 [stamping partly visible from reverse side of paper] [unclear portion] 1975 SEP 19 PM 3 54 [handwritten in left-hand margin] James Falk [typed] September 13, 1975 Honorable Gerald Ford President of the United States The White House Washington, D. C. 20506 Dear Mr. President: This is in reply to your letter dated July [date underscored] 11, 1975, [handwritten above] filed same [typed] regarding the Indochina [underscore] Refugee [end underscore] Resettlement Program and to advise you of the progress being made in Louisiana in resettling Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees. Approximately 2,400 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees have been resettled in Louisiana through the efforts of voluntary resettlement agencies. If the present trend continues, we estimate that 5,000 to 6,000 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees will have been resettled in Louisiana by the end of 1975. Unfortunately, the State of Louisiana will be unable to participate as a resettlement agency; however, all appropriate State agencies and State resources will be used in coordinating supportive activities in assisting voluntary resettlement agencies in the total resettlement effort. All the voluntary resettlement agencies in the State have done and are continuing to do a remarkable job in the processing and resettling of refugees in Louisiana. We believe that it would be a duplication of efforts and services if the State elected to become a resettlement agency. The State can provide a more useful service by directing and coordinating appropriate State resources, including manpower if necessary, in assisting the voluntary resettlement agencies. I have, therefore, delegated the responsibility of liaison and program activities to the Louisiana Health and Human Resources Administration, Division of Family Services, reporting directly to Mr. Dan Borne', my Chief Executive Assistant. Mr. Borne' will direct and coordinate all the State Government activities in working with and assisting the voluntary resettlement agencies. [vertical mark at left of a portion of the above paragraph, from approximately "responsibility of liaison" to end of that sentence] [circular seal at bottom, near right] GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY [stamped at right of seal] RECEIVED OCT 3 1975 CENTRAL FILES [handwritten in bottom right corner] NAN