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REGULAR MEETING March 12, 2018
<br /> Marlene Ortiz, 127 North Lake Boulevard de la Paix Apartment 2632, South Bend, IN, stated,As
<br /> you saw, the video reflects some of the stories of our own. I come from a humble family. I am a
<br /> DACA recipient and my life, right now, is in limbo. I wanted to address this to you because, as
<br /> you can see, the way they work is the way we used to work back home. It is very difficult for me
<br /> to see these images because I understand what they are going through. I would like you all to know
<br /> there are around five hundred (500)to eight hundred (800)DACA recipients in the City of South
<br /> Bend. We have the threat of deportation at the moment. We don't know what is going to happen
<br /> and we don't know what the Supreme Court is going to do with us but I feel this is an issue that
<br /> needs to be addressed. We need to know what is going to happen to us. How is our City going to
<br /> help us out in the face of deportation? We are here to stay. I am a St. Mary's College student, I
<br /> have a son, he is a US Citizen and I cannot imagine my life without him.
<br /> Erica Garcilazo, 130 Burbank Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated, I am also a DACA recipient. As
<br /> many of you know, we do not receive financial support which makes it challenging and
<br /> discourages many of us to continue with our studies. Thanks to Proteus, I have received a full-ride
<br /> two (2) year scholarship to Ivy Tech to hopefully become an ultrasound technician someday. It is
<br /> very important to understand that agricultural work is burdensome and dangerous. It effects
<br /> individuals physically,mentally and emotionally. The wage does not match the intensity of the job
<br /> as I have done that job myself and am only twenty (20) years old. They deserve the dignity and
<br /> respect that we all want. They deserve a comfortable life and to not be taken advantage of because
<br /> of their skin color, race, ethnicity, or age. They deserve as much, and more, for their bravery to
<br /> take on a job that many individuals would not ever imagine doing. They also deserve respect for
<br /> taking their time and leaving their families behind to help the country and their families. My father
<br /> came to the US when he was sixteen(16)years old. He left us behind with my mother. I was seven
<br /> (7) at the time when we crossed the border. He thought about us and our future and that should
<br /> speak a lot about him and the Latino community. We all want the best for our children and they
<br /> deserve better pay.
<br /> Roberto "Rudy"Monterosa,418 West Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, IN, stated, I stand before
<br /> you today as the proud grandson and nephew of migrant farm workers. I believe that that Common
<br /> Council is to be commended. I know in the past you have been unafraid and forward-thinking in
<br /> the decisions and resolutions made and passed. This is also a resolution that we need to be sure the
<br /> rest of the country is aware of. We thank you for taking the time to listen to each and every one of
<br /> us. I encourage you to join us, March 25 — 31 with Proteus to create packages of donations for
<br /> these workers. Migrant workers are the backbone of this country and I believe it is about time we
<br /> recognize the effort they have made for us throughout the years.
<br /> Stephen Ortiz, 209 W.North Street, Indianapolis, IN, stated, I work with Proteus and I would like
<br /> to thank you. Being in Indianapolis, one (1) of the first things I saw was the Future Farmers of
<br /> America Convention. Thank you for taking this time. It is a big deal to recognize their work. I
<br /> work at the Legal Office for Proteus and I visit all the camps throughout the State.
<br /> Savino Rivera, 936 S. 36h Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I work with the migrant education
<br /> program and I'm their recruiter. I go out to meet with the families and meet with the farmers to
<br /> bridge the gap in the education of the children that come with their parents. The parents work very
<br /> long hours. They leave at 5:00 a.m. and sometimes don't get back until 11:00 p.m. I have to plan
<br /> my day to be able to meet with them so the needs of their children are met. It is a long day and I
<br /> am a former agricultural worker myself. I grew up around Michigan and Indiana and it is tough
<br /> work. It molded me into who I am today.
<br /> Cecilia Lopez-Monterosa, 418 West Jefferson Boulevard, stated, I really want to thank you for
<br /> listening to the stories and acknowledging that farmworkers are a big part of this community and
<br /> City. My father came to the United States and picked cotton in Arkansas. He eventually moved to
<br /> California and that is where I grew up. In California, I grew up learning about farmworkers and
<br /> the importance of farmworkers. Coming to South Bend, Jesusa has done a tremendous job to
<br /> expose the work that farmworkers do here. Thank you for acknowledging this.
<br /> Council President Tim Scott turned the floor back to the Council for further comment or main
<br /> motion.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, Thank you for coming and speaking and thank
<br /> you for the video. I think sometimes visuals really help drive hope and help us remember these
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