Press Contact: Fabio Lomelino, Assistant Director for Media Relations
410-230-2721, lirspress@lirs.org
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Honorable Michael Honda
U.S. House of Representatives
1713 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Representative Honda:
On behalf of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), I write to thank you for re-introducing the SUCCEED (Strengthen and Unite Communities through Civics Education and English Development) Act.
LIRS views community engagement as critical in every step of the integration process on newcomers. Since LIRS’s founding in 1939, Lutherans have provided a warm welcome to refugees and migrants from all over the world. This tradition continues today. Lutheran congregations and social ministry organizations resettle refugees, teach English, and provide case management and other forms of support to welcome newcomers to American communities.
English language learning and civics education are crucial for helping migrants and refugees to become productive members of the U.S. society and workforce. Your bill would take important steps to support the integration work of many community stakeholders, providing a much-needed investment in both newcomers and the communities that welcome them.
LIRS applauds your leadership and looks forward to working with you to build support for the bill. Please feel free to contact Eric B. Sigmon, Director for Advocacy, at (202) 626-7943 or via email at esigmon@lirs.org with any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Linda Hartke
President and CEO
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service