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Action Needed! Call on Congress to Support the “Strengthening Communities Through Education and Integration Act of 2008”
In July, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) and Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) introduced legislation to address the educational barriers and integration challenges faced by communities across the country. The Strengthening Communities through Education and Integration Act of 2008 (H.R. 6617 and S. 3334) invests resources in Latino children and workers, while encouraging state and local governments to proactively work with new immigrant communities.
MALDEF and our allies in the business, education, faith and civil rights community strongly support this legislation. Now is the time for you to call on your Senators and Representative to cosponsor H.R. 6617 and S. 3334.
WHAT IS THE STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION AND INTEGRATION ACT OF 2008?
The Strengthening Communities through Education and Integration Act of 2008 promotes critical goals that are shared by the public and private sectors: to provide individuals with English literacy and civics education, to invest in the training and development of our workforce, and to build stronger communities by assisting the integration of new populations.
Specifically, this legislation will:
- Increase investment in elementary, secondary, and adult education, with a special focus on English as a Second Language (ESL) and civics programs;
- Encourage the research and development of “best practices” for educating English language learners;
- Support the recruitment and retention of ESL teachers through tax credits;
- Create tax incentives for employers to offer adult education and ESL programs for their employees; and
- Promote civic participation and productive dialogues in communities by establishing local integration councils.
WHY IS THIS BILL IMPORTANT?
As our nation continues to grow and the demand for highly-skilled workers increases, we must accelerate the integration of English language learner children and adults into society and develop local solutions for welcoming newcomers into our communities. The Strengthening Communities through Education and Integration Act will improve academic preparation and economic competitiveness by providing resources for literacy and civics education programs. Additionally, the legislation promotes positive dialogue in state and local communities among key stakeholders by establishing New American Councils and creating a grant program for integration efforts.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
We need your involvement! Make your voice heard. Contact your Member of Congress and Senators and tell them:
“We need to invest in workforce education and put resources in to the integration of immigrants. Please co-sponsor H.R. 6617 and S. 3334, the Strengthening Communities through English and Integration Act of 2008, to help millions of adults and children to achieve the American Dream.”
Contact your congressional representatives TODAY by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or by clicking here (for your Congressperson) and here (for your Senators) to send a message electronically.
Your input makes a BIG difference, and every message counts. Do your part for the America’s future and tell your representatives that you support the Immigrant Integration Act. | 
