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REGULAR MEETING March 12, 2018
<br /> things. My mom was a sharecropper and, as I watched the folks working in the field, I can just
<br /> hear all of the stories she told as well as feel the scars that are still left from the exploitation. We
<br /> see it is still going on now and people work so hard for their families and they are cheated and
<br /> taken advantage of. Thank you all for bringing this forward and coming out. Please reach out. We
<br /> want to make sure we, as Council members here in the City of South Bend, are doing what we can
<br /> to help.
<br /> Councilmember Sharon L. McBride stated, I also would like to thank you all for coming and
<br /> speaking out. It is a very important issue and a lot of times we take things for granted. The work
<br /> that you all are doing is one (1) of those things. It is a privilege to be able to be a part of this night
<br /> to celebrate you all.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, Thank you. It is truly an honor to sign onto this resolution
<br /> tonight. It is not only tonight that we work on this.Jesusa,I want to thank you for keeping the fight
<br /> going. You have been faithful, committed, and have been a champion. You continue to help bring
<br /> light. I echo Councilmember Williams-Preston in that, whatever we have to sign onto, especially
<br /> encouragement and support, let us know. This is something that all sides of the political spectrum
<br /> have to consider. We just saw what Illinois was able to do. I even commend the Mayor of San
<br /> Francisco for what she did and everybody else and so, we have to, on the local level, continue to
<br /> take that active lead,especially everything that has been going on in our national scene.Thank you
<br /> Councilmember Broden for leading this charge in the Council.
<br /> Councilmember John Voorde stated, Thank you, all of you, for telling your compelling story. It is
<br /> something that, as others have said, is too often taken for granted. The closest I come to a farm
<br /> crop is a produce section of a supermarket and I just don't even think about how it got there and
<br /> all the work it takes to do that. You are thanking us but we should be thanking you. So, thanks
<br /> very much.
<br /> Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated,Thank you for all the very important work that you are doing.
<br /> Councilmember Karen White stated, I would like to first thank Councilmember Broden for
<br /> bringing this resolution before the Council. Jesusa,we go way back. Someone made mention that
<br /> this Council has been a leader in the many challenges the Hispanic community has faced. We will
<br /> continue to do so. We need to recognize the work and the conditions they work under. We remain
<br /> ever so grateful for the commitment to, not only this community, but others as well. We will
<br /> continue using our voices and I challenge everyone to continue advocating, challenging, asking
<br /> questions and using the power of your voices.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I would like to announce, formally, during the week of
<br /> March 25-31, we will be asking the public to donate long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, dress-shirts,
<br /> bandanas and ball caps. All of those go a long way in protecting workers from pesticide poisoning
<br /> and exposure to danger in the fields. Additionally,new this year, we are asking the community to
<br /> contribute to what we are calling`Welcome Kits.' When individuals come to our community,there
<br /> is a gap between when they arrive and their first take-home pay. I think it is really important that
<br /> we not only send our gratitude and thanks,but also consider that gap and try to help fill it. We will
<br /> accept toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry/dish/body soaps, basics, deodorant, shampoo,
<br /> conditioner,hand towels,gas and grocery gift cards.Those are all things that can make individuals
<br /> feel welcomed and can show our appreciation for their work and time in our community. I want to
<br /> finish up my remarks by thanking all of you who have been so dedicated for so long in this field
<br /> and area. You really do carry our concern and care to those who come to our community. Thank
<br /> you very much for your work and hopefully we will work effectively to support your efforts going
<br /> forward. Thank you so much. Money will be accepted by checks only and they are made out to
<br /> Proteus Inc.
<br /> Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I want to thank everybody too. Councilmember Voorde was
<br /> absolutely correct and we should be thanking you guys on a daily basis. The Mayor and I have
<br /> talked about the concept of Sanctuary Cities and what all we can do. It's one (1)thing for the City
<br /> of San Francisco who can stand, pretty much, on their own financially without any aid from the
<br /> Federal government, it is a little tougher for South Bend. We are looking for opportunities. The
<br /> key here is awareness. We need to be aware and look for the right opportunity. We need to bring
<br /> back the human value and human recognition in this and that is key. We need to be kinder and
<br /> gentler.
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