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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2013
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<br />s/Valerie Schey, 3 District s/Gavin Ferlic, At Large
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<br />s/Dr. Fred Ferlic, 4 District s/Karen L. White, At Large
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<br />Dr. David Varner, 5 District Kathleen Cekanksi-Farrand, Attorney
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<br />Attest: Approved this 25 day of February, 2013
<br />s/John Voorde, City Clerk s/Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend
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<br />Councilmember Oliver Davis made the presentation for this bill. He offered his comments and
<br />asked that a copy of this Resolution be sent to each of the federal elected officials listed.
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<br />A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time.
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<br />Ramona, 536 Widner Lane, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a member of TAP. She urged
<br />the Council to adopt this resolution.
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<br />Tony Flora, Representing the AFL/CIO North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Council, read into the
<br />record a document supporting a road map to citizenship for aspiring Americans. He stated that
<br />on February 11, 2013 the North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Council stated:
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<br /> Whereas, Everday, more than 11 million immigrant aspiring citizens contribute to our
<br />communities, our economy, and our country- yet are denied a voice in the workplace and
<br />essential rights in our society;
<br /> Whereas, A strong and vibrant democracy cannot function unless all men and women,
<br />regardless of their skin color or where they were born, can participate meaningfully in the
<br />political process with full rights and equal protections;
<br /> Whereas, The union movement recognizes that the way we treat new immigrants reflects
<br />our commitment to democracy and the values that define us;
<br /> Whereas, Working people are strongest when working together and the union movement
<br />is strongest when it is open to all workers, regardless of where they come from;
<br /> Whereas, The creation of a road map to citizenship for new American immigrants would
<br />improve wages and labor standards for all workers by empowering immigrant workers and
<br />halting employers who take advantage of our failed immigration policies to pursue a race to the
<br />bottom;
<br /> Whereas, Temporary worker programs do not reflect America’s values as a democratic
<br />society. History teaches that guest worker programs create a second class of workers, unable to
<br />exercise even the most fundamental rights, which lowers wages and working conditions for all
<br />workers;
<br /> Whereas, The dreams of young immigrants to have access to quality education and the
<br />hopes of millions of immigrants to reunify their families are consistent with American values;
<br /> And Whereas, America’s unions remain committed to working together on the side of
<br />justice for all, along with our community partners, including civil rights, human rights and
<br />immigrant rights organizations to pass fundamental reform that encompasses these principles and
<br />strengthens our democracy;
<br /> Therefore be it resolved: That the North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Council, which
<br />represents the voices of thousands of working families in the Indiana counties of LaPorte, Starke,
<br />St. Joseph, Marshall, Elkhart, and Kosciusko, calls upon Congress to pass common sense
<br />immigration reform that reflects the principles outlined in the unified union movement’s
<br />framework for comprehensive immigration reform, “Immigration for Shared Prosperity: A
<br />Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform”:
<br /> And be if finally resolved: The North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Council will continue to
<br />work with allies to promote comprehensive immigration reform based on the principles outline
<br />in this resolution and will communicate this position to Indiana’s congressional delegation.
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<br />Mr. Flora asked the Council for their favorable adoption of this Resolution.
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<br />Wendy Winters, Joseph Alavarez, Cedric Stricklin, Antwon Mason, Joe Carbone, Ms. Ramona
<br />and Jesusa Rivera, spoke in favor of this bill. The urged the Council’s favorable adoption of this
<br />resolution.
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<br /> There being no one else present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of or in opposition to
<br />this Resolution, Councilmember Varner made a motion to adopt this bill. Councilmember White
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