Robert D. Ray and the Southeast Asian Refugees of Iowa

950 S Warrior Lane,Waukee IA 50263

01 May, 2022

Description

Discover how Robert D. Ray's influence on refugee resettlement and relief and the controversy surrounding resettlement in Iowa After the United States withdrew from the Vietnam War, its Southeast Asian allies faced imprisonment, torture, and death under communist regimes. The Tai Dam, an ethnic minority from northern Vietnam, campaigned for sanctuary, writing letters to 30 U.S. governors in 1975. Only Robert D. Ray of Iowa agreed to help. He created his own agency to relocate the Tai Dam, advocated for the greater admission of “boat people” fleeing Vietnam, launched a Cambodian relief program that generated over $540,000, and lobbied for the Refugee Act of 1980. Discover how Robert D. Ray wielded more influence over refugee resettlement and relief than any other governor and the controversy surrounding resettlement in Iowa in this talk by Dr. Matthew Walsh, author of the Shambaugh Award-winning book The Good Governor: Robert Ray and the Indochinese Refugees of Iowa.  Interviews with more than thirty refugees and public officials inform this comprehensive study of Iowa’s resettlement program.  This is an in-person event at the Library. Sign-up to receive a event reminder email. About the Presenter: Dr. Matthew R. Walsh is a professor of history at Des Moines Area Community College. For his previous works, Walsh has received awards from Penn State, University of Nebraska-Omaha, and the State Historical Society of Iowa.