I had the pleasure of accompanying 4 SW students for two days to the state capitol over break. I was so proud to observe our youth as they learned first-hand the ins and outs of politics and how a bill becomes law in our state.
Itzel Alvarado, Vicente Fernandez, Edwin Inda-Valdez, and Ben Valdez-Hempel played the roles of state legislators at a mock-hearing, quickly learned the details of the bill that directly effects their and their friends' future, met with legislators, wrote personal notes to legislators who wouldn't take the time to meet with them, and sat through lengthy testimony on proposed higher education budget cuts before they could hear their fellow DREAMers' testify. (Photos are attached. Sorry for the poor quality. Check out Emma Paskewitz, SW alum '05 and former SW Student Council President, who is still leading and training high school students, too.)
This took much courage and tenacity. Let's honor them by emailing or calling Rep. Pelowski, Rep. Lien and Rep. Nornes this morning. They are debating the Dream Act/Prosperity Bill at 12:30 today. Our goal is for it to be included in the Omnibus bill. The bill doesn't cost the state anything, but will give hope and access to higher education to our students who were brought here at a very young age and know only Minnesota as home.
All it takes is a couple of minutes. Thank you, Linnea Valdez
Rep. Ben Lien
651-296-5515 or 800-657-3742
E-mail: rep.ben.lien@house.mn<mailto:rep.ben.lien@house.mn>
Rep. Gene Pelowski
651-296-8637 or 888-681-8226
E-mail: rep.gene.pelowski@house.mn<mailto:rep.gene.pelowski@house.mn>
Rep. Bud Nornes
651-296-4946 or 800-336-8017
E-mail:rep.bud.nornes@house.mn<http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sendmail/mailtomember.aspx?id=10467>
And, for the Spanish speakers/learners on staff, I'm working on getting the link to Univision's interview with our students, which aired Saturday morning on Channel 13.
Here's more information:
Education Reform
Minneapolis, MN - April 6th, 2013 -
On Monday April 8th the House of Representatives' Higher Education Committee will debate bill HF 875, at 12:30pm in Room 5, State Office Building.
The MN Prosperity Act would allow Minnesotan undocumented youth - the DREAMers - access to private scholarships and statewide financial aid for higher education.
We Need Action!
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Ask the House to include HF 875, MN Prosperity Act (the Minnesota DREAM ACT) in Higher Ed. Omnibus bill. We need to insure that we have two more votes in the Higher Education committee. Please contact the targeted representatives: Ben Lien, Jeanne Poppe, Bud Nornes, and Gene Pelowski. Ask them to support education for Minnesota's workforce. Take action by calling, emailing, and/or visiting your representatives. They hold the key to Minnesota's future.
To find the complete list of membership for the House of Reps. Higher Ed. Committee, please visit:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committeemembers.asp?comm=88016
Why we need this?
In Minnesota and nation-wide, undocumented high school and university-age students who came to the United States with their parents often before they were five years old, have been fighting to gain access to higher education for more than a decade. To assure access, the local Minneapolis-based community organization Tamales y Bicicletas organized over one hundred youth over the last week, as well as many state legislators, to pass legislation targeted at young undocumented immigrant youth.
The bill would increase diversity in all colleges in Minnesota by providing young undocumented youth, many of who come from low-income families, the financial ability to attend state universities. If law, the Prosperity Act would also open universities to young people who would gain skills that would benefit the Minnesotan economy overall. The legislation is particularly oriented around undocumented youth who have been raised and will continue to live in Minnesota; recipients of financial assistance need to have graduated from Minnesota high schools they've attended for a minimum of three years. Financial assistance will only be available for youth that are Minnesota residents.
Linnea Valdez
ELL Teacher and Coordinator
Southwest High School
Minneapolis Public Schools
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