Speech and Testimony
CE Leggett’s Remarks at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Charles W. Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center Headquarters
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center
Westfield South Building in Westfield Wheaton Shopping Center
11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 506, Wheaton
As prepared
(PART I – Grand Opening)
Good afternoon!
Thank you for inviting me to be part of this momentous occasion. Thank you Bruce Adams and Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center Director Kaori Hirakawa.
The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center is the beating heart of the County’s initiative to become one of the world’s most welcoming communities.
Charlie Gilchrist, as Montgomery County’s second County Executive, laid the groundwork for the multicultural Montgomery County we have today. He recognized and appreciated the changing face of the County, and he welcomed the change.
We are grateful to former First Lady Phoebe Gilchrist for being here with us today; and we are committed to continuing the welcoming legacy that the Gilchrist Family established.
Thank you! And now, I would like to turn the floor over to County Councilmember Nancy Navarro.
County Executive Remarks
(PART II – Volunteer Recognition)
For many of our newest residents, the Gilchrist Center is their first step on the road to prosperity. It is a veritable gateway into a new lease on life.
Whether people come to study, to be with family, or to flee repression or violence; whether they come from Central America or Asia or Africa, the Gilchrist Center for 16 years has provided a warm and welcoming environment.
Within these walls people can begin their journey to learn English, improve computer and job skills, or even become citizens – a one-stop shop to laying the groundwork for your vision of the American dream.
And this one-stop shop will only get better! I am pleased to report to you that despite a very difficult budget situation, my proposed budget adds resources needed to enhance significantly the capacity of the Gilchrist Center for the future.
But it takes more than money to make the Gilchrist Center such a warm and welcoming place. We simply cannot do this important work without our volunteers and community partners.
In the last fiscal year, 131 volunteers taught classes and provided program support for a total of almost 6,000 volunteer hours.
That is impressive, and I am pleased to be here today to express my appreciation.
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Release ID: 18-017
Saturday, April 7; 1 p.m.