Speaker Carl Heastie Appoints Assemblyman Ron Kim to Head the Legislative Task Force on New Americans

MEDIA CONTACT:
Yuh-Line Niou, Office of AM Ron Kim
yuhline@ronkim.com | (360) 513-8562

Albany, New York – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie officially announced that Assemblyman Ron Kim will be the new chair and head of the Legislative Task Force on New Americans. Founded in 2001, this task force has focused on researching and advocating for policies and programs that have direct impact in the immigrant communities throughout the state of New York.

Speaker Carl Heastie states, “I am pleased to announce that the Assembly Task Force on New Americans will be chaired by Assemblymember Ron Kim, who in 2012 earned the distinction of becoming the first Korean-American elected to office in the State of New York. Our state has been the nation’s international gateway for over 150 years and today, is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the world. It is because of their rich contributions that we have become a beacon for cultural awareness and diversity. I look forward to Assemblymember Kim’s leadership and to the efforts this Task Force will undertake to improve the lives of these special New Yorkers who are such a celebrated part of our country and our state’s identity.”

Assemblyman Ron Kim states, “As the new Chair of the Task Force on New Americans, I will work with my colleagues in the state legislature to make sure we continue to provide as many opportunities for new immigrants to succeed in New York State. Whether you are a new American who wants to open a new business, attend college, or find a descent senior center, our entire nation will benefit when we can attract and retain hard-working immigrants to be part of the American Dream. In this tough and competitive global economy, we need to continue to promote policies that will perpetuate our status as the land of opportunities.”

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the past chair of the Task Force, states, “New York’s large and growing immigrant community has a devoted lawmaker on their side and a fierce advocate for justice in Assemblyman Ron Kim. As the new Chairman of the Assembly Task Force on New Americans, he brings to this leadership position his deep-rooted concerns and understanding of the international social, political, and economic forces shaping our State.  I am honored to work with Assemblyman Kim and to support his important work to improve the lives of all those who call New York their home and especially those that call New York their new home.”

Assemblyman Francisco Moya, main sponsor of the Dream Act, states, “Assemblyman Ron Kim will make a stellar Chair of the Task Force on New Americans. He is committed to helping new immigrants become new New Yorkers. Finding effective pathways to help new immigrants become fully integrated members of the family of New York is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. I know that Assemblyman Ron Kim will lead the Task Force on New Americans with foresight and purpose.”

Steve Choi, Executive Directior of the Immigration Coalition of New York, states, “We wholeheartedly congratulate Assemblymember Ron Kim, a strong ally and friend to the New York Immigration Coalition, for his new role as the Chair of the Task Force on New Americans. We look forward to working closely with him to create more opportunities for New Americans in New York and further our State’s prosperity.”

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Thanks to GSPI Co-Chair Karen Yau for sharing news about NYC’s Municipal IDs!

Check out Karen’s latest update from the Government Service & Public Interest Committee:

Dear Colleagues,

Hope you are well!

There are many reasons to attend our Government Service and Public Interest Committee events. A chief one among them is that you will meet very interesting people and learn very interesting information.

As many of you know, NYC’s Municipal ID has been very popular and useful. But it has also been hard to get an appointment to secure it. See:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/07/nyregion/more-popular-than-expected-new-yorks-id-program-has-officials-scrambling.html?_r=0
At last Friday’s panel discussion on the proposed changes to the 

Specialized High School admissions process, in the after-event reception, I met a deputy director of the Municipal ID Program and learned that its capacity has recently increased greatly. Interested persons can get appointments almost immediately.

I have just tried it and secured appointments for me and my husband with no problem. I highly recommend that you check out the program. The ID comes with many privileges, including free membership to cultural institutions. http://www1.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/benefits/museums-and-cultural-institutions.page

Sincerely,

Karen
GSPI Committee Co-chair

If you’d like to become more active in AABANY’s Government Service & Public Interest Committee, feel free to contact Karen at karen.yau@aabany.org to join their mailing list, attend or volunteer at their events, and hear the latest. You can join their LinkedIn Group by clicking here. Our GSPI Committee is one of our most active, and there’s always room for more!

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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities with MinKwon Center

The MinKwon Center will be hosting several Naturalization Clinics, starting on April 24. These clinics are great opportunities to assist low-income community members with immigration law forms. Clinics will be held at the MinKwon Center’s office in Flushing and Fort Lee, NJ. 

No prior experience is necessary, and training will be provided on the day of each clinic. MinKwon keeps a log of all volunteer hours and MinKwon is glad to certify your pro bono hours for the NY bar admission requirement. 

MinKwon will be helping eligible legal permanent residents (i.e., green card holders) complete their applications to become naturalized U.S. citizens. MinKwon could use the assistance of attorneys, students and interpreters. Korean and/or Chinese language ability is especially helpful. Please sign up here to join MinKwon. 

If you’re interested in volunteering with MinKwon, please read the following clinic descriptions and sign up using the links below:

April 2015

Date and Time: Friday, 4/24/2015, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location:        Fort Lee Public Library

                       320 Main Street

                       Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

Volunteer Shifts: 10:00am-5:00pm (training from 10am-11am)

May 2015

Date and Time: Saturday, 05/09/2014, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location:        MinKwon Center for Community Action

                       136-19 41st Avenue, 3rd Floor

                       Flushing, NY 11355

Volunteer Shifts: 10am-2pm (training from 10am-11am), 1pm-5pm (training from 1pm-2pm)

Date and Time: Friday, 5/15/2015, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location:        Fort Lee Public Library

                       320 Main Street

                       Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

Volunteer Shifts: 10:00am-5:00pm (training from 10am-11am)

*Date and Time: Saturday, 5/16/2015, 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Location:        Presbyterian Church of New Jersey

                       500 Broad Avenue

                       Palisades Park, New Jersey 07650

Volunteer Shifts: 2:00pm-6:00pm (training from 2pm-3pm)

Date and Time: Sunday, 5/17/2015, 10:00pm – 5:00pm

Location:        Chan Yang Church

                       15 Cedar Grove Lane

                       Somerset, New Jersey 08873

Volunteer Shifts: 10:00am-5:00pm (training from 10am-11am)

Date and Time: Saturday, 5/30/2015, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location:        Fort Lee Public Library

                       320 Main Street

                       Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

Volunteer Shifts: 10:00am-5:00pm (training from 10am-11am)

Date and Time: Saturday, 05/30/2014, 10:00am – 5:00pm (ONA)

Location:        MinKwon Center for Community Action

                       136-19 41st Avenue, 3rd Floor

                       Flushing, NY 11355

Volunteer Shifts: 10am-2pm (training from 10am-11am), 1pm-5pm (training from 1pm-2pm)

June 2015

Date and Time: Friday, 6/5/2015, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Location:        Fort Lee Public Library

                       320 Main Street

                       Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

Volunteer Shifts: 10:00am-5:00pm (training from 10am-11am)

Date and Time: Saturday, 06/13/2014, 10:00am – 5:00pm (ONA)

Location:        MinKwon Center for Community Action

                       136-19 41st Avenue, 3rd Floor

                       Flushing, NY 11355

Volunteer Shifts: 10am-2pm (training from 10am-11am), 1pm-5pm (training from 1pm-2pm)

Date and Time: Saturday, 6/20/2015, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location:        Fort Lee Public Library

                       320 Main Street

                       Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

Volunteer Shifts: 10:00am-5:00pm (training from 10am-11am)

Date and Time: Saturday, 06/27/2014, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location:        MinKwon Center for Community Action

                       136-19 41st Avenue, 3rd Floor

                       Flushing, NY 11355

Volunteer Shifts: 10am-2pm (training from 10am-11am), 1pm-5pm (training from 1pm-2pm)

*Please note that if you sign up for the clinic on 5/16, Saturday at Presbyterian Church of New Jersey, the shift starts from 2pm until 6pm.  

**Sign-up forms for the clinics in July and August will be sent out next month.

Thank you volunteering!


Lina Lee, Esq. / 이인아

Staff Attorney / 변호사

MinKwon Center for Community Action
136-19 41st Ave. 3rd Fl. Flushing, NY 11355
Tel.718.460.5600 ext. 501, Fax.718.445.0032
lina.lee@minkwon.org
, www.minkwon.org