Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 54

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 54-Assemblymen Evans, Amodei, Anderson, Arberry, Bache, Berman, Braunlin, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Close, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Ernaut, Freeman, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Herrera, Hettrick, Hickey, Humke, Koivisto, Krenzer, Lambert, Lee, Manendo, Marvel, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Ohrenschall, Parks, Perkins, Price, Sandoval, Segerblom, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams

June 27, 1997
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Read and Adopted

SUMMARY--Commends Nevadans who assist legal immigrants in learning English and becoming naturalized citizens. (BDR R-1305)

EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION--Commending Nevadans who assist legal immigrants in learning English and becoming naturalized citizens.

Whereas, Apart from Native Americans, every American citizen's ancestors came to the United States from a foreign land as immigrants; and
Whereas, These immigrants are mothers and fathers, children and grandparents who left their country, said goodbye to their families, often risked their lives, and left everything familiar to them to come to this country for opportunities and the religious and political freedoms offered by this great democracy; and
Whereas, This country is one of the most successful multi-ethnic nations in history because we have united immigrants and their descendants from every country in the world around a commitment to democracy and diversity within the framework of national political unity; and
Whereas, While a significant number of immigrants are persons whose training and education lead them to incomparable opportunities and financial security, many of these people bring only their hopes and dreams and, therefore, need support and encouragement to learn the English language, pursue additional education and otherwise acquire the necessary skills needed to enable them to contribute their talents to this country; and
Whereas, Upon arriving in the United States, many immigrants must often work long hours and hold more than one job to provide for their family members here and those who remain in their old country; and
Whereas, Nevadans celebrate the vast ethnic diversity of this state's residents and recognize and appreciate the many contributions immigrants have brought and continue to bring to this country, as teachers, doctors, homemakers, lawyers, nurses, Nobel prize winners, renowned researchers, writers, farm workers, religious leaders and political leaders, and through their customs, music, literature, art and culture; and
Whereas, Many Nevadans have taken an active role in encouraging and assisting legal immigrants to embrace this nation and its values and acquire the necessary skills and education that will enable these newcomers to merge into the diverse fabric of American society; and
Whereas, Such a person is Priscilla Rocha, a recent recipient of the Citizen of the Month Award from the City of Las Vegas and a founding member of the Hispanic Association for Bilingual Literacy and Education, known as HABLE, which coordinates classes in English as a second language at 10 schools in the Clark County area; and
Whereas, Priscilla Rocha's belief in the power of education to transform one's life has had a positive effect and benefited many students who have come here to make this country their home and offer their skills for the betterment of our society; and
Whereas, Another such person is Emma Sepulveda, an Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at the University of Nevada, Reno, who teaches a course designated "Spanish 401" in which the students are assigned to governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide translation services free of charge; and
Whereas, During the 4 years that Spanish 401 has been offered at the University of Nevada, Reno, Emma Sepulveda has facilitated the provision of invaluable translation services to the residents of Washoe County and given her students the opportunity to hone their language skills and experience the great satisfaction that can be gained by helping others; and
Whereas, The University of Nevada, Reno, also deserves to be commended for recognizing the need to offer courses that facilitate the provision of needed services to the community and its residents; and
Whereas, In addition to innovative ways that individual Nevadans have found to assist immigrants, certain businesses, civic organizations and volunteer associations throughout this state have joined forces to provide immigrants with assistance in learning English, acquiring job skills, becoming familiar with community resources and attaining citizenship; and
Whereas, The El Dorado Hotel, with the cooperative assistance of the Northern Nevada Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Washoe County School District, the YMCA, the Girl Scouts and the Children's Cabinet, has established a free program to assist immigrants in learning English; and
Whereas, This cooperative effort, known as the "I Can Do Anything" program, has contributed to building the confidence and self-esteem of immigrants who reside in Washoe County and otherwise assisted the immigrants in reaching their goals and achieving their dreams; and
Whereas, The Mirage Resorts Hotel in Las Vegas routinely conducts a naturalization program for immigrants and supports its employees in becoming citizens; and
Whereas, The Mirage's first very successful naturalization program gave assistance in completing the citizen application process, provided a series of educational programs developed by its training department and culminated in a swearing-in ceremony for 93 employees who became American citizens; and
Whereas, The Culinary Workers' Union (Local 226) in Las Vegas assists members and their families in learning English and provides individual assistance in completing the complicated naturalization forms required for citizenship; and
Whereas, These are a representative sample of the individual persons, businesses and organizations that are assisting in this noble goal; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate Concurring, That the Nevada Legislature recognizes and commends the outstanding contributions of the many Nevadans who are helping legal immigrants formalize their commitment to the United States; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Nevada Legislature acknowledge the many contributions that legal immigrants have made to this state and country; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Nevada Legislature urge and encourage all Nevadans to take an active role to welcome legal immigrants to our state and provide opportunities for immigrants to learn English and attend naturalization classes so they can share in the responsibilities and benefits offered to all people of the United States of America; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Priscilla Rocha, Emma Sepulveda, Joseph Crowley, President of the University of Nevada, Reno, Ian Hill, Director of Hotel Services for the El Dorado Hotel, Steve Wynn, owner of the Mirage Resorts Hotel, and John Wilhelm, head of the Culinary Workers' Union Local 226.