May 8, 1975 NEWS to Sponsor Vietnamese Refugees Dan Evans said today the State of Washington has agreed to participate in the resettlement and sponsorship of at least 500 refugees from Vietnam. Evans earlier had indicated the state's willingness to participate in the resettlement program and a formal request from the State Department to take up to 500 refugees initially was received today. The Governor said the state will be ready to receive the first 100 refugees from Camp Pendleton, Calif., early next week. They will be housed at Camp Murray, headquarters for the Washington National Guard which is adjacent to Fort Lewis. "All of our state agencies pledge their fullest support to this humanitarian effort," Evans said. All arrangements are being coordinated by Tom Pryor, director of the State Department of Emergency Services. L. Dean Brown, the President's director of the Indochina lnteragency Task Force, told Evans in a telegram that costs to the state for resettlement, health, income maintenance, and social services will be reimbursed by the federal government. want you to know," he said, "how much I appreciate your willingness to play such a key role in the resettlement of these victims of the Vietnam tragedy. What you will do is in the finest tradition of our country." The Governor urged citizens of the state to participate in the resettlement program. Anyone wishing to sponsor a Vietnamese refugee or wishing to help in any other way should contact the Department of Emergency Services in Olympia at 206-753-5255. NOTE TO NEWS arrangements for the arrival of the refugees have been completed, the Governor's Office will notify you. April 3, 1975 NOTICE TO NEWS 3 5 A Attached i a copy of a le er the Governor will hand deliver to the President tomorrow in San Franoi?co. The letter advises the Pfesident of this area's willingness and the capability to accomodate up to 1,500 children from Vietnam if the President were to Herder planes carrying orphans to fly into McChord Air Force Base. OFFICE OF GOVERNOR April 3 1975 The Honorable Gerald R. Ford President of the United States ?San Francisco, California Dear Mr . President: With only two hours advance notice, he City 0 \Seattle is ready and eager to put into operation the following/capabilities for accommodat- ing the American?Vi etnamese children/being"; flovm from Saigon to the United States . Service and the Pacific The City of Seattle's Departmentxof Em?eraenc Northwest Division of the .iimerica?hiRed Cross will provide vehicles to be used as pickup transportationrat McChordZ-?iir Force Base and/or Sea~Eac International Airport to Naval Air Station and/or Fort Lewis . 500 beds at Sand Point Naval Air Station and 1000 beds at Fort Lewis are ready. l?his is quarantined military housing; we will not disperse these children into individual foster homes. Many will be ill, and they are not immunized. l'nere supervision, nurses' care and doctors? crate?, \ce?oks?kand interpreters --a11 donating their time and efforts. rained per??ennel?wvill proyide total 24 hour medical coverage and handle injuries?hnd deaths .?Ii?munization programs are set up and ready. and military personnel will furnish interpreters, and the RedfCross will provide?bedding, clothing, and diapers . I'he Travelers' jii?tLSocietzand? WAIF, coordinators of this program, are able to provide total?security to these children and to see that they are distributed to th?e?xprOper adoptive agencies who will see to their being placed with their propenadoptive families. There has been a continuing communication between all adoptive agencies and coordinators. l?he Mayor of Seattle?s Office, The City of Seattle's Department of Emergency Services and each public services as the Pacific Northwest Bell ?l?elephone Coznpany, are staying in constant touch. Our citizens have responded with donations of food, clothing, and money sent to the Red Cross Donation Center here ready to go to the military bases. 623', President Gerald R. Ford I Aprll 3, 1975 We urge you, Mr. President, in the cause of the health and emotional tranquility of these young lives, to provide them with the very best care available. Ehe Clty of Seattle is waiting and ready. Slncere Pat \elt l'raveleas' Aid Society miegorT/Presldent Seattle Ar a. Chapte WAIF Hand carried by Governqr Dame . \t May 22, 1975 NEWS Resettlement Progresses Dan Evans said today he is pleased at the way Washington citizens are welcoming the Vietnamese refugees to this state. He said about 300 offers of sponsorship have already been received and the center is continuing to receive about 35 a day. Evans said many of the calls are offers to sponsor two or three refugees. While some refugees can be accomodated in those numbers, the Governor pointed out that the average size of a refugee family is four or five. aronps ano are encouraged to sponsor V1etnamese families hv calling _the Camp Murray Center at 552-3640 or the nearest Public Assistance Office of the Department of Social and health Services. Three types of sponsorship are being sought: to assume the complete support of a( refugee family; to provide housing or employment; and to serve as a big ?brother? or "sister" in assisting the refugee family's adjustment to life in the United States. One of the most crucial needs at this point is employment for the head of each refugee family. "Most of the employeble refugees are highly skilled administrators, craftsmen. professionals and clerical support personnel," the Governor said. Some have been employed by the United States government in Vietnam for up to 20 years. - 0 NOTE TO NJWS family of 7 was due to'arrive this afternoon, boosting the total at Camp Morray to Al. Although none have yet left the camp, six refugees (one family of 5 and one single person) have Sponsors. They will leave the camp within a mm.