We can welcome this Friday with good news from Alabama. The state’s newspaper of record, the Montgomery Advertiser, yesterday published an op-ed by Rev. Julian Gordy, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Southeastern Synod.
In his July 4 piece, “A Step for Fair Immigration Reform in U.S.,” the bishop writes:
Senators from both parties came together last week and passed a fair and humane immigration reform bill.
This was a great victory for those who favor a common-sense solution to this decades-old problem.
He concludes his op-ed with a call to action:
S.744 is a good start. I’m glad our senators heeded the calls of countless Americans who chose to confront the human suffering in their own communities and congregations.
These citizens of all faiths called on our elected officials to deliver immigration reform, and, in a great victory, the Senate delivered bipartisan leadership in the form of this bill.
But the work of forging fair, effective and compassionate immigration reform is just beginning.
Now is the moment for Republicans and Democrats to come together to introduce similar — or better — legislation in the House of Representatives. People of all faiths in Alabama stand behind immediate and just immigration reform. We expect no less from our elected officials.
Please read the entire op-ed by clicking the link above, and show your support by leaving a positive comment, promoting the piece through Facebook and other social media, and sending the link to your friends, colleagues, and family.
It’s crucial that more leaders speak out strongly as the House of Representatives begins working on their legislation. We’re grateful to Bishop Gordy for his writing, and to the Montgomery Advertiser for helping him reach the Alabama public with the ways in which immigration reform will benefit all Americans.