September 14, 2009
For Immediate
Release
New Americans Public Hearing to Focus on Immigrant Integration
Gov. Gregoire's New Americans Policy Council to Hear Public Testimony in Pasco
A community member testifies at July public hearing in Tacoma.
SEATTLE-
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, OneAmerica,
the leading immigrant advocacy organization in Washington State, and the
Washington State New Americans Policy Council will host a New Americans Public
Hearing in Pasco, Wash.
Testimony will be provided from immigrants, human service providers,
business owners, immigrant entrepreneurs, faith leaders, government employees,
and community members who have witnessed the challenges and opportunities of a
growing immigrant population in the Tri-Cities and Yakima, Benton, and Franklin
Counties. This event is an exciting opportunity for the community to help
shape policy recommendations to the Governor. The event will be held from 6-8:30 pm at the Gjerde Center at Columbia
Basin College.
The Washington State New Americans
Policy Council was created through Executive Order by Gov. Christine Gregoire
in February 2008. Recognizing the growing role of new immigrants in Washington
State's demographics, Governor Gregoire charged the Policy Council with
providing recommendations on how the state can more effectively integrate
immigrants into communities across Washington. Council members include leaders
who serve in government, universities, private business and the nonprofit
sector. OneAmerica Executive Director, Pramila Jayapal, serves as Policy
Council Co-Vice Chair while Gilbert Mendoza, a business owner and an active member
of various civic organizations in the Tri-Cities, also serves as Co-Vice Chair
of the Council. Other policy council members listening to testimony will
include Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin and University of Washington Vice
Provost Dr. Luis Fraga.
"As part of the global economy,
Washington benefits from the contributions, hard work and innovation of
New Americans," Gregoire said. "It is crucial to Washington State's
vitality and economic well-being that Washington continues to cherish, welcome
and sustain its diverse population."
"Washington currently ranks tenth
in the nation in the number of foreign-born residents," said Jayapal.
"As our population grows, we must create a more systematic and
fine-tuned approach to integration that will allow immigrants a real
opportunity to achieve success in our communities, such as helping immigrants
learn English, use their professional credentials, and become self-sufficient
and successful citizens. We believe this hearing will help identify ways
to improve immigrant integration that will benefit immigrants and the community
as a whole."
Gilberto Mendoza said, "In 2000,
Washington ranked 10th in percent of immigrant business owners
operating within a state. The hearing will provide a unique opportunity for
those immigrant entrepreneurs in the Tri-Cities area to discuss challenges they
have overcome to establish their business and to offer suggestions and ideas
that can lessen these hurdles and better empower future immigrants who have
similar goals." Possible topics for testimony for entrepreneurs include: loan
access, business writing workshops, economic benefits, understanding our state
and federal tax system, and other business-related trainings and seminars
geared towards the immigrant community.
From the Policy Council:
We look forward to hearing your
stories and recommendations. We welcome your expertise and every day
experiences. Testimonies should be about 2 minutes and could address challenges
and barriers that service providers and integrating immigrants face in accessing
services (such as healthcare, schooling, language instruction, interpretation,
financial services, and emergency help), as well as positive integration
experiences.
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Who: OneAmerica and New
Americans Policy Council
What: New Americans Public Hearing seeking immigrants, human service
providers, faith leaders, government employees, and community members to attend
and testify
Where: Columbia Basin College Building 2600
North 20th Ave
Pasco, WA
When: Wednesday, September 16, 6-8:30 pm
Why: Help Shape Policy Recommendations
for the Governor
Contact:
Teresa Mozur Communications Assistant C: 571-278-0130 teresa@weareoneamerica.org
For More Information or to RSVP
for the hearing visit www.weareoneamerica.org
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About OneAmerica
OneAmerica, formerly Hate Free Zone, is a non-profit organization that advances the
fundamental principles of democracy and justice by building power within
immigrant communities.
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