Governor Proclaims Refugees Welcome Week 2023

WHEREAS, millions of refugees of many backgrounds, faiths, and countries of origin make life and death decisions to flee their countries for shelter or protection; and

WHEREAS, welcoming the oppressed and persecuted has long been a core American value; resettlement to the U.S. is available for those refugees who demonstrate the greatest and most immediate need for protection and complete a rigorous selection, security vetting, and medical screening process; and

WHEREAS, resettlement provides a safe haven when refugees cannot return home and cannot rebuild their lives in the country where they first fled because their life, liberty, safety, health, or fundamental human rights are at risk; and

WHEREAS, World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20 to raise awareness of the millions of refugees worldwide who are forced to flee their homes due to persecution, war, or violence, and to celebrate the multiple contributions they make in their new hometowns; and

WHEREAS, refugees make positive contributions to their new communities; between 2005 and 2014, refugees contributed an estimated $269.1 billion to the national economy, far surpassing the $206.1 billion spent by the United States to assist refugees; and

WHEREAS, 13 percent of refugees were entrepreneurs in 2015, creating jobs and generating $4.6 billion in business income that year; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina has a proud history of welcoming refugees by offering a safe and thriving environment to support displaced people and families seeking a new beginning; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina has welcomed nearly 2,000 Afghans, many of whom worked with U.S. troops abroad, and nearly 2,000 Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing conflict in their home country with support and resettlement resources; other refugees who cannot return to their country of origin have also found a welcoming home in our state; and

WHEREAS, organizations responsible for resettling refugees in our communities, as well as many other community groups and religious institutions, have declared their support for resettling refugees across North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages people to commemorate World Refugee Day by participating in local events, expanding their knowledge of refugees, and celebrating the multiple contributions they make to our state;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 20 – 26, 2023, as “REFUGEES WELCOME WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.