Vietnamese Refugees in Iowa:
Ray's Humanitarian and Controversial Relocation
The Second Wave
"I saw that we really only had two choices: we could either turn our backs as countless others suffered and died, or we could extend a hand to help, and in so doing prevent tragic loss of innocent lives."
~ Iowa Governor Robert Ray- 1969-1983
In 1978, the second wave of Vietnamese “boat people” escaped to the South China Sea, hoping the current would lead them to the Philippines, Malaysia, or Thailand. Unfortunately, countries, including the United States, stopped accepting refugees from Indochina. So when the refugees landed, many were pushed back into the sea by local officials who feared the consequences of helping refugees (Quinn).
Vietnamese being helped from the sea (Trughn)
(Thanh Quach-Vietnamese refugee)
"We saw the boat break up in the high waves with all of the passengers falling into the raging seas. Many drowned before our eyes."
~ Ambassador Kenneth Quinn- Ray's Refugee Program Coordinator
In 1979, Ray watched a CBS report by Ed Bradley about the boat people in which refugees, many of whom were women and children, went overboard. The few people who could swim struggled to the shore, but many perished in the sea. Ray was troubled by what he saw, so he wrote to President Carter saying that Iowa would double its refugee intake if the United States allowed refugees to come to America again. Months later the United States announced that their refugee program would accept 168,000 new refugees yearly (Quinn).
"Ed Bradley can be seen in the waters rescuing those who risked their lives in hopes of reaching freedom after the Vietnam War" (Magalie).
"Human lives are at stake. Already hundreds, if not thousands -- the majority women and children -- have perished at sea."
~ Iowa Governor Robert Ray- 1969-1983
"Letter to President Carter" (Ray)
Governor Ray speaking about Vietnamese (Lam)
Ray's Congressional testimony about wanting to help refugees ("Iowa Governor")
Ray with Vietnamese girl (Finney)
"Resolution of the Republican Governors Association Regarding Cambodia"(Ray)