World Food Prize Ambassador Quinn
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THE ARCHIVE OF AMBASSADOR KENNETH M. QUINN
FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE MEKONG
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A Standing Ovation for the United States’ Humanitarian Leadership

205/7/79

As the nations of the world gathered at the headquarters of the U.N. High Commission for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland in July 1979, Amb. Quinn describes the scene as the situation of the boat people refugees from Vietnam is considered. For much of the meeting there are expressions of concern, but no real action. The tenure of the meeting changed when Vice President Walter Mondale’s announcement of a dramatic change in a U.S. policy that would ultimately affect one million Vietnamese refugees. It all began with Governor Ray’s leadership six months earlier.

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