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Show THE VOICC OF BUSINESS Today's reugjs tomorrow's ABSiesrlccsns By Richard L. holier, IVesidenl Chamber f Commerce of I lie United Stales "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming teem-ing shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me ..." These words, on a bronze tablet at the base of the Statue of Liberty, were written by an American poetress, Emma Lazarus, around the turn of the century. They remind re-mind us we are a. nation of immigrants seeking freedom. Is the message still timely today? I hope so. The aftermath of the tragic end to the Vietnam war presents a compelling challenge to free people everywhere. The Communist regimes that seized power in Vietnam and Cambodia have eliminated most remaining freedoms and done just about everything possible to make life more miserable for their people. Countless thousands of In-dochinese In-dochinese have tried, and are still trying, try-ing, to take advantage of the only option left -- escape. Most dramatic are the "boat people," barely alive on small craft, praying for rescue, a home 'and freedom. I believe the United States has acted properly in directing the U.S. Navy to rescue refugees at sea, and in mobilizing mobiliz-ing our allies to help accelerate and participate in their ultimate resettlement. resettle-ment. But government, however decent its intentions, is always hampered by i bureaucratic delays. Government can lead, assist and point the way; in the end however, it is usually motivated individuals, in-dividuals, working through their families, communities and businesses who exercise leadership and move decisevely to solve problems. As a member of the business community, com-munity, I see more and more examples of that kind of leadership being applied to the refugee problem. Granted, you don't hear much about it - no one is do- ing any bragging - but business people everywhere, from Washington to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, to Iowa, Texas and California are working to find solutions to this very complex, difficult dif-ficult problem. If you're looking for a person who epitomizes take-charge leadership in modern-day America, look at Ed Daly, president of World Airways of Oakland, Calif. In 1975, at the moment of utmost peril, Daly took his planes into Danang and personally flew (and diapered! ) orphans or-phans out of danger within hours of South Vietnam's collapse. Today, World Airways is still airlifting refugees, both in private humanitarian efforts, and as a government contractor. contrac-tor. And Daly has never stopped his efforts. ef-forts. He is now recognized internationally interna-tionally as a leader in refugee rescue and resettlement. One of the places World Airways has flown refugees is Dallas, Texas, headquarters head-quarters of Airlines Instruments Company. Com-pany. Dale Ireland, the company's president, is resettling about 7ie dian refugees - entire familiL ; employing the adults in his K Wells, Texas facility Ireland that within 48 hours after?1-refugees after?1-refugees arrived they were as J.' when they could start work wanted to make some money In Showell, Maryland V Farms, Inc., a total poultry 'Pr': firm, has offered a home and k about 50 unmarried refugees dn past year. The company bui: mitory with modest studio apar ' and pays the refugees the J: wage with full benefits. TheeL seems to be working beautifully And in California, two y0B.. Llewellyn Werner of Sacramel' Richard Walden of Los Angeles just completed what they c modest effort" - the collection -delivery of six 'tons of medicine to refugees in Southeast The men are not businessmen' simply two individuals with and obvious entrepreneurial Why did they solicit contributions'-' ' all over the country? Werner: "We are amateurs. Or, was ta dramatize the fact dividuals can get involved." If you think you too would it-involved it-involved - or your family, organs business, or state or local govern a good place to start is to wiito-', The American Council of Vole ' Agencies, 200 Park Avenue, Net i-N.Y., i-N.Y., 10003; Telephone: (212) |