WHEREAS, World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe and celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution; and

WHEREAS, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at least 79.5 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes, and among them nearly 26 million are refugees; and

WHEREAS, the United States has long been an important global leader in the resettlement of refugees, and since 1980 the U.S. Refugee Act codified into law the right to asylum for refugees; and

WHEREAS, through the Refugee Act, the United States government has taken leadership in international relief efforts and in defense of human rights has helped expand protections for countless refugees, internally displaced persons, and other victims around the world; and

WHEREAS, 7,392 refugees have resettled in Nevada from 2002 to 2019, becoming contributing members to our society, our culture, and our economy; and

WHEREAS, refugees face daunting challenges, and yet they have continuously showed us their unceasing courage and remarkable determination to build a brighter future and enriching our country and our state; and

WHEREAS, the success of our state is rooted in our ongoing commitment to be a welcoming state for all and on World Refugee Day we honor the resilience and celebrate the triumph of the human spirit exemplified by refugees and all displaced individuals;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the day of June 20, 2021, as

WORLD REFUGEE DAY IN NEVADA