Duckworth Hears Priorities and Concerns at Latino Policy Forum Roundtable

[CHICAGO, IL] -- Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in a roundtable with community leaders hosted by the Latino Policy Forum, an organization dedicated to transforming public policy through the leadership of the Latino community. The discussion covered a diversity of issues including immigration reform, education, small business development and healthcare. A photo of the roundtable can be found here http://www.duckworth.authoring.senate.gov/media/257.

"From Gage Park to Pilsen and from Little Village to Humboldt Park, Chicago's Latino population is an integral part of this city," said Duckworth. "It is important that their voices are sought out and heard, so I am grateful to have spoken directly with Latino business owners and community leaders today about how I can help their communities in Washington. America is at its best when we welcome, include and support everyone who works hard each day to build a better life for themselves and their families."

"We appreciate Senator Duckworth's proactive outreach to Latino community leaders and the opportunity to have a candid discussion on the issues impacting our communities," Latino Policy Forum Executive Director Sylvia Puente said. "Right now, positive, proactive communication is essential given the challenges Latinos are facing locally and nationally."

As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Duckworth is working in the Senate to expand economic opportunity and revitalize economies in communities around the state that have been ignored by many for too long. By working to increase investments in infrastructure, education programs and minority- and women-owned businesses, Duckworth seeks to support working families across Illinois, increase access to jobs and help provide community wealth that will stabilize neighborhoods struggling for a brighter future.

Since Duckworth was sworn in to office in January, she has been a critic of President Trump's discriminatory mass deportation force and an advocate for a more fair and humane immigration system. Duckworth also helped introduce legislation to rescind his misguided immigration ban.

Earlier this month, Duckworth introduced several bills intended to protect and support Veterans and servicemembers--men and women who have proven they are willing lay down their lives defending America--from being deported or denied healthcare. Duckworth's proposals, two of which are cosponsored by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), would prohibit the Administration from deporting Veterans, give legal permanent residents a path to citizenship through military service, establish naturalization offices at military training facilities, and bolster VA healthcare services for Veterans.

Speakers from the roundtable included Sylvia Puente and Karen Garibay-Mulatierri of the Latino Policy Forum, Jaime di Paulo of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, Mony Ruiz-Velasco of the West Suburban Action Project, Analia Rodriguez of the Latino Union of Chicago and Patricia Canessa of the Illinois Public Health Association.

Read this original document at: https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/content/duckworth-hears-priorities-and-concerns-latino-policy-forum-roundtable