Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the Alianza Americas Conference
Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring
As prepared
Good morning and welcome to Downtown Silver Spring and the Civic Building! It is a pleasure to host Alianza Americas’ Annual National Leadership Assembly here in Montgomery County!
Oscar Chacon, Executive Director of Alianza Americas, staff and members, thank you for choosing Silver Spring; and thank you for all of the important and necessary work you all do in providing a critical voice for all immigrants and families throughout the Americas, from Chicago to Los Angeles, Montgomery County to Central America, Caribbean and South America.
Thank you for your leadership and extraordinary work on the important delegations to the Americas.
And, thank you for inviting me to your last delegation to Central America and Mexico to better understand the humanitarian crisis, government and society as we deal with humanitarian issue of Children, youth and families Fleeing Violence from Central America.
We are gathered here – just two days after electing our next President of the United States – to discuss on this public panel, Citizenship and Democracy in Uncertain Times: What’s next for the Americas?
This is the right question and at the right moment and place:
Did you know that we are a population of 1 million in the County and 33% is Immigrant/foreign born?
We have an extremely diverse population, almost 20% Latino, 20% African American, and 20% Asian.
As you can see, we are an interesting and unique place!
Now let’s look at what is happening in the world. We are experiencing humanitarian crisis in Europe with refugees and the rise of anti-immigrant rhetoric.
And here in the Americas, we are experiencing the same humanitarian crisis and rhetoric as well: Children Fleeing Violence from Central America; they are our Refugees; they are leaving Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras seeking refuge anywhere and here in the United States! That is why we welcome them here in the Montgomery County!
These children and families are our new community members, neighbors and friends. We must welcome them to their new home, here, and make sure they have access to the resources they need so they can utilize the skills and tools they will need to thrive.
Helping them excel, helps make Montgomery County an even greater place for EVERYONE to live, work and play.
We will continue to work together between all of our County agencies, our Public School System and our community nonprofits and private sector groups as we face this humanitarian issue in the Americas.
This is the way we function here in Montgomery County. We are and we will continue to be one of the most welcoming communities in the nation!
Now, I have a proclamation to Alianza Americas! Oscar Chacon, Executive Director, please come up to the front.
I’m very grateful to you all. Let’s keep working together to make Montgomery County the nation’s most welcoming community.
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Release ID: 16-072
9:15 a.m.