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Dear
Editor: The Illinois
Department of Human Services invites the public to celebrate
Immigrant and Refugee Week Oct. 18-22 and United Nations Day Oct.
24. It is a time to honor our ancestors and welcome the thousands of
new Americans who make Illinois their home each year. Their cultural
diversity, indefatigable work ethic and commitment to family
strengthen us as a state and as a nation.
More than 125,000 refugees from 45
countries have reclaimed their lives in Illinois. Through the
department's partnership with the private sector, a cost-effective
comprehensive range of culturally responsive, community-based
services -- including English language training and job placement,
health and mental health, youth and senior programs -- have
facilitated the refugees' adaptation to life in America. In a
remarkably short time most have become economically self-sufficient
and socially self-reliant.
Illinois continues to welcome those
who seek rescue from persecution. The most recent example is in
Darfur, Sudan, where more than 1 million refugees have been forced
from their homes into squalid camps. As a result of this tragedy,
more than 300 "Lost Boys" from Sudan have come to Illinois and are
thriving, productive members of our community.
We salute our partners in
resettlement throughout the state. With the support of churches,
synagogues and hundreds of volunteers, the resettlement
agencies perform extraordinary work in welcoming new refugee
arrivals.
[to top of second
column in this letter] |
 Twenty percent of Illinois residents
are immigrants or the children of immigrants. More than 600,000 are
naturalized citizens who earned their citizenship with pride and
dedication. The Illinois Department of Human Services Refugee and
Immigrant Citizenship Initiative, through the efforts of 35 schools
and community-based organizations, has assisted more than 100,000
foreign-born from 106 countries with learning English, studying U.S.
history and valuing civic participation.
Under the leadership of Gov.
Blagojevich, the naturalization endeavor will expand dramatically
through the New Americans Initiative. The collaboration of IDHS, the
Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Coalition for
Immigrant and Refugee Rights will enable 20,000 additional
individuals per year to achieve the full rights and responsibilities
of citizenship.
IDHS is proud of its role in making
Illinois a leader nationwide in addressing the needs of refugees and
immigrants. It is not often cited, but 1 million residents left
Illinois in the past 20 years. They have been replaced by immigrants
who have sustained our labor force, contributed billions of dollars
in taxes and enriched the cultural diversity of our state. Join us
in celebration.
Sincerely,
Grace Hou
Assistant Secretary
Illinois Department of Human Services
(Posted
10-16-04)
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It has recently come to the attention
of the local Lincoln AMVETS Post 71 that a scam is being solicited
in our area under the name of "American Veterans," via the
telephone. The AMVETS name is
a shortened version of the true name of "American Veterans," and we
wish to convey to one and all that the AMVETS are not soliciting for
funds in this or any other area.
The group that is soliciting is
claiming to help homeless veterans. They are calling homes and
requesting credit card donations. The president of the group is
apparently Robert Friend Jr. If people check their caller ID, it may
read "Safety Programs-717-234-2635." This is a nonworking number.
Robert Friend is the president of
American Veterans Coalition, based in Gig Harbor, Wash. The website
with his information is
http://www.american-veterans.org/OnlineRequestAssistance.html.
Another report on this group, which has several aliases, may be
found at
http://www.give.org/reports/nondissql.asp?798.
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column in this letter] |
This is not an official
VA-recognized veterans service organization.
In response to a recent inquiry, a
Lincoln citizen was advised not to donate to this organization even
though they answered her question with yes, some of the funds will
be returned to the local AMVETS organization. None have been
received, nor will they be received.
AMVETS Post 71 recommends that if
you receive such a call, just hang up the telephone.
Arnold Haak
Commander
Lincoln AMVETS Post 71
(Posted
10-15-04)
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