Friends,
Thanks so much to all of you who were able to join Dawn and me, along with John Gregg, Shelli Yoder, and so many more candidates, for the Family Picnic on Sunday Sept. 11. (Mark your calendar for the first Sunday after Labor Day next year – we’ll make it a habit!)
Just yesterday Governor Pence got smacked down by a federal appeals court reminding him that he violated the law by trying to exclude Syrian refugees from the Hoosier state. Bloomington already had powerfully come together to reject Pence’s discrimination and proclaim refugees welcome in our town. We learned last week that the State Department approved our request and we can expect about 20 refugee families to arrive in Bloomington next year, likely from Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. So I was glad to publish a column contradicting Pence, saying that Bloomington opens our arms to refugees to our community:
As Americans we are known as a nation of immigrants. As Hoosiers we are known for our hospitality. As Bloomingtonians we are known to value diversity. It is time to put those values into action by welcoming new folks to our community — people who are victims of some of the world’s most tragic conflicts and threats. I am confident our new friends will enjoy this great city and make a brighter future, for us and for them.
As we work together on resettlement, consider the courage it takes for a family to leave their home and set off to a strange land in order to protect their children and live in freedom. Refugees are shopkeepers, farmers, engineers, doctors, teachers, laborers and, of course, children. Let’s all remember how powerful a warm smile, an offer of friendship, a word of encouragement can be. Let’s show them Bloomington at our finest.
(full column is below)
At a conference this summer of mayors from around the country, each of us was asked to formulate a question to ask the next president. I didn’t know it would be so relevant to my city when I posed the question:
How will you protect two critical ingredients that have sustained our country through the years: 1) a continuous flow of immigration of new people and ideas, from around the world, always challenging our view of how the world ought to work and who leads; and 2) an abiding belief that we are in this together – that our communities share common purpose and that our future depends on our meeting it together, not leaving anyone behind.
We sure know how differently each of the presidential candidates would answer, by what they’ve done and said in their lives and campaigns.
Both of these ingredients are fundamental to our city as well. We need constantly to have new people and new ideas leavening our current system and approaches, reminding us that just because we think we’re doing something well doesn’t mean we can’t do it better – or treat each other better. And we need constantly to remember that we are all in this together, that our city has to work for people from all walks of life, that anyone left behind is a loss to all of us. Good lessons for a mayor.
Democratically yours,
John
ps DON’T MISS the chance to help our great candidates in these next five weeks. Voting starts soon, and our future depends on it!!
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Guest editorial, Herald Times, Tuesday, October 4, 2016:
As mayor and as a Bloomington native, I join the city council in welcoming refugees to our community. Our national government program helps resettle victims of violence and persecution from around the world. While Gov. Pence has actively sought to block refugees from coming to Indiana — to our state’s embarrassment and contrary to our values and the law — most in our community are joining together to play our part.
Recently, Exodus Refugee Immigration (ERI) was approved in their grant request to help settle about 20 families from Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Bloomington during the next year. An experienced organization that has successfully resettled thousands of refugees, ERI plans to open a satellite office in Bloomington and to work closely with the many volunteers in our community who want to open our doors and hearts to 60 new residents. What a great thing for our community and our future.
Since 1975, Americans have welcomed over 3 million refugees from all over the world who have built new lives, homes and communities in towns and cities in all 50 states. And all the evidence suggests that these refugees strengthen the communities — and the economies — where they settle. The national government operates the oversight and extensive screening that assures refugees are treated fairly — and a rigorous 18- to 36-month vetting process has demonstrated effectiveness in protecting public safety.
All great faith traditions in the world exhort their believers to welcome the stranger and show hospitality to the outcast — the refugee. Great faith traditions and our nation’s best instincts also urge an attitude of hope rather than fear. The refugee program in our city and around our state is strongly supported by many major faiths and their members, as well as by a tapestry of diverse local individuals and organizations. It is heartwarming and inspiring to see so many coming together in a spirit of caring and hope rather than fear.
As mayor, I don’t have a formal role in the question of resettling refugees, though I intend to be as helpful as I can in both my official and private capacities. In the tradition of America, the bulk of that effort is privately led, as we are witnessing in the compassion and energy fueling preparations from so many Bloomingtonians.
Some in our community have expressed concerns and worries — or some outright hostility — about a refugee resettlement program. Dialogue and education are very important and no doubt will be part of the process ahead. All should strive for civility, grace and understanding as we answer questions, strengthen community, and move forward together to meet this opportunity to serve.
As Americans we are known as a nation of immigrants. As Hoosiers we are known for our hospitality. As Bloomingtonians we are known to value diversity. It is time to put those values into action by welcoming new folks to our community — people who are victims of some of the world’s most tragic conflicts and threats. I am confident our new friends will enjoy this great city and make a brighter future, for us and for them.
As we work together on resettlement, consider the courage it takes for a family to leave their home and set off to a strange land in order to protect their children and live in freedom. Refugees are shopkeepers, farmers, engineers, doctors, teachers, laborers and, of course, children. Let’s all remember how powerful a warm smile, an offer of friendship, a word of encouragement can be. Let’s show them Bloomington at our finest.
