The U.S. State Department hosted a day-long program commemorating “Refugee Day.” A featured speaker at the event was General Colin Powell. He and two other staff members of the Joint Chiefs spoke with the audience about recent U.S. efforts to bring relief to refugees, such as during the Persian Gulf War, and after the flooding in Bangladesh. The ceremonies included a mass swearing-in of former refugees to become American citizens, and recognition of the contributions of individual refugees to American society.