Category: The Opposition

Another Refugee Resettlement Industry Letter to the President, Lutherans This Time

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

I know this is just another ho-hum letter to the Administration (for the media’s consumption) from the ‘religious’ Left insisting that the President admit 95,000 refugees to America beginning on Thursday—yes, this coming Thursday October first.

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president & CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service formerly worked for Michelle Obama

However, I am posting it just to be sure my archives are complete for this year’s Presidential determination lobbying campaign.

See my tag FY2021 for background and all of my archived stories on the subject.

This time it is Lutherans writing to the President as just one more publicity stunt on the part of the refugee contractors who fear the President might set this next year’s admission level at zero.

Here is the letter, but most importantly below are the 243 signatories (who signed on to the letter from Krish).

I thought you might like to have a look at who in your community is working to change America by changing the people. Lutherans especially might want to take note.

Dear Mr. President and Secretary Pompeo:

As bishops and ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a denomination of 3.5 million people of faith, and as the CEOs of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Lutheran Services in America, we write to express our support for welcoming refugees and urge you to commit to resettling at least 95,000 refugees in fiscal year 2021.

Sincerely, Krish etc….

1. Rev. Jason Adams, Reformation Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, NV
2. Rev. Nancy Amacher, Northwest Synod of Wisconsin ELCA, Withee, WI
3. Rev. Michael D. Anderson, Member of University Lutheran Ch, East Lansing, MI
4. Bishop Jon Anderson, Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA, Redwood Falls, MN
5. Rev. Kirk Anderson, Grand Canyon Synod, Dewey, AZ
6. Rev. Annette Andrews-Lux, Peace Lutheran Church, Silvana, WA
7. Bishop Jim Arends, La Crosse Area Synod ELCA, La Crosse, WI
8. Rev. Joshua Auchenbach, Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, Tucson, AZ
9. Mr. Hilton Austin Jr., St John’s Lutheran Atlanta, Decatur, GA
10. Co-Executive Director Mark Back Holden Village Chelan WA
11. Rev. Kevin Baker, First Lutheran Church, Lone Rock & St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Wauzeka, WI
12. Rev. Jayne Baker, Retired, Phoenix, AZ
13. Rev. Lindean Barnett Christenson, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Bozeman, MT
14. Bishop Tracie Bartholomew, New Jersey Synod, ELCA, Hamilton Square, NJ
15. Rev. Scott Bartlett, Southwest CA / Bethel Los Angeles, CA
16. Rev. Paul Bauman, Greater Milwaukee Synod, West Bend, WI
17. The Rev. Glenn Beard Jr, Lower Susquehanna Synod ELCA, Lititz, PA
18. Bishop Daniel Beaudoin, Northwestern Ohio Synod, Findlay, OH
19. Pr. Min. Andrew Beers, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS
20. The Rev. Dr. Chris Bellefeuille, St. Paul Area Synod ELCA, Stillwater, MN
21. Rev. Barbara Bengtson, Retired Clergy, Peoria, AZ
22. Rev. Paul Benz, Northwest Washington Synod, Everett, WA
23. Rev. Matthew Best, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingstown, PA
24. Rev. Elizabeth Bier, ONE in Christ Lutheran Parish, Greenwood, WI
25. Rev. John Biggs, Saved By Grace Lutheran Church, Pahrump, NV
26. Rev. Paul Birkedal, North Carolina Synod, Hickory, NC
27. Rev. Dr. John Bjorge, NW Washington Synod/First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach,
Shoreline, WA
28. Rev. Paul Block New Song Church, Henderson, NV
29. Rev. Rebecca Boardman, Lutheran Campus Ministry at University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
30. The Rev. James Boline, St. Paul Lutheran Church of Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA
31. Rev. Ronald Bonner, SES, Atlanta, GA
32. Rev. Judy Brennan, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Bellevue, WA
33. The Rev. Steven Broome, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA
34. Rev. Dr. Robin Brown, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL
35. The Rev. Allan Bruck, Northwest Washington Synod/Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church/Retired,
Bellevue, WA
36. Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, Northwest Washington Synod ELCA, Seattle, WA
37. Rev. Abigail Byrd, Casa de la Luz Hospice, Tucson, AZ
38. Co-Executive Director Kathie Caemmerer-Bach, Holden Village, Chelan, WA
39. The Rev. Lauren Carlson, Calvary Lutheran Church ELCA, Morganton, NC
40. Rev. Ross Carmichael, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA
41. Rev. Joseph Castañeda Carrera, ADORE LA, Southwest California Synod, Los Angeles,CA
42. Pastor Mateo Chavez, Grand Canyon Synod – Iglesia Luterana San Juan Bautista, Tucson, AZ
43. Pastor Tim Christensen, Intentional Interim Ministry, Anchorage, AK
44. Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson, Lower Susquehanna Synod/Lutheran Church of the Good
Shepherd, Lancaster, PA
45. Rev. Dr. Sandra Chrostowski, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Pewaukee , WI
46. Rev. Barbara Condon, Northwest Intermountain Synod, Garden City, ID
47. Rev. Craig Corbin, Grand Canyon/ My. Olive Lutheran/Pastor, Lake Havasu City, AZ
48. Rev. Caleb Crainer, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Los Angeles, CA
49. Rev. Gary Dalenius, Northwest Washington Synod, Faith Lutheran Church, Redmond, WA
50. Pastor Kristy Daniels, Northwest Washington Synod, Church of Steadfast Love, Seattle, WA
51. Bishop Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt, Southern Ohio Synod, Westerville, OH
52. The Rev. Amanda Diller Guida, Southeastern Iowa Synod/St. James Lutheran, Bettendorf, IA
53. Reverend Thomas Dunham, Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, ELCA, Tucson, AZ
54. The Rev. Paul Eldred, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Bellevue, WA
55. Rev. Joseph Ellwanger, Hephatha Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI
56. Pastor Joanne Elise Engquist, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, ELCA, Seattle, WA
57. Bishop Paul Erickson, Greater Milwaukee Synod, ELCA, Milwaukee, WI
58. Pastor James Erlandson, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul, MN
59. Rev. Tim Feiertag, Trinity Lutheran Church, Everett, WA
60. The Reverend Ali Ferin, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Roseville, MN
61. The Rev . Alan Field, Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA, Phoenix, AZ
62. Bishop Murray D. Finck, Southwest California Synod-ELCA, Santa Ana, CA
63. Rev. Jan Olav Flaaten, Retired Executive Director of Arizona Ecumenical Council, Phoenix, AZ
64. Rev. Dr. William Flippin, Jr., Director of Evangelical Mission, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod,
Philadelphia, PA
65. The Rev. Dr. Susie Folks, SEPA, Pottstown, PA
66. Rev. Lara Forbes, Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Bellevue, WA
67. Rev. Rock Fremont Jr., Shepherd of the Hills UCC, Phoenix, AZ
68. Bishop William Gafkjen, Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, Indianapolis, IN
69. Rev. Martin Galbraith, New Hope Lutheran Church, Freedom, PA
70. The Rev. Dr. Margarethe Galbraith-Cordes, Emmanuel and St John Lutheran Churches, Freedom,
PA
71. Rev. Dr. Jeffery Gallen, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Goodyear, AZ
72. Rev. Douglas Gebhard, Trinity, Sewickley, PA
73. Bishop Michael Girlinghouse, Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod , Tulsa, OK
74. Bishop James Gonia, Rocky Mountain Synod – ELCA, Denver, CO
75. Rev. Melissa Gonzalez, Minneapolis Area Synod/Tapestry, Richfield, MN
76. Bishop Erik Gronberg, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA, Dallas, TX
77. Ms. Ann Hafften, Messiah Lutheran Church, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA,
Weatherford, TX
78. Rev. Susan Halvor, Hospital Chaplain, Alaska Synod, ELCA, Anchorage, AK
79. The Rev. Linda Hanus, Mount Cross Lutheran Church/Grand Canyon Synod/ELCA, Payson, AZ
80. The Rev. Meredith Harber, Christ Lutheran Church-Alaska Synod, Soldotna, AK
81. Ms. Ruth Harris, Holy Family Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
82. Rev. Laura Harris-Ferree, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA
83. Bishop Regina Hassanally, Southeastern MN Synod, ELCA, Rochester, MN
84. Rev. Phil Hausknecht, Ph.D., Retired – Grand Canyon Synod, Henderson, NV
85. The Reverend Katherine Hawks, Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA
86. Bishop James Hazelwood, New England Synod ELCA Lutheran, Worcester, MA
87. Rev. Anja Helmon, NWWA Synod/Northlake Lutheran Church, Kenmore, WA
88. Rev. Steve, Herder, Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks, CA
89. Rev. John Hierlinger, ELCA, St. Paul Area Synod, Saint Paul, MN
90. Rev. Lester Hoffmann, Grand Canyon Synod, Scottsdale, AZ
91. Rev. Mark Holman, Grand Canyon Synod – ELCA, Mesa, AZ
92. Bishop Mark Holmerud, Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA, Sacramento, CA
93. Rev. Carolann Hopcke, Zion Lutheran Church, Albion, NE
94. Rev. Libby Howe, La Crosse Area Synod, La Crosse, WI
95. Bishop Deborah Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod-ELCA, Phoenix, AZ
96. Rev. Dr. Rodney Hutton, Grand Canyon Synod, Tucson, AZ
97. Rev. Keith Ingle, Retired, Tucson , AZ
98. Rev. Sarah Isakson, Faith La Fe Evangelical Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ
99. Bishop Richard Jaech, Southwestern Washington Synod, Tacoma, WA
100. Sister Annette Janka, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK
101. The Rev. Lisa Jester, Emmaus Road Lutheran Church, Levittown, PA
102. Rev. Joshua Johnson, Faith Lutheran – Little Rock, AR
103. Pastor Michael Johnson, Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Carefree, AZ
104. Rev. Jocelyn Johnston, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA
105. Pastor Hans Jorgensen, St Timothy Lutheran Church, St Paul, MN
106. Mrs. LaDonna Jurgensen, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Littleton, CO
107. The Rev. John Kautz, Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA , Tucson, AZ
108. The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Keiter, Slovak Zion, Nesquehoning, PA
109. Ms. Vernita Kennen, Lutheran Advocacy-Minnesota, Roseville, MN
110. The Rev. Erik Kindem Northest Washington/Peace Lutheran, Seattle, WA
111. Co-Executive Director Stacy D. Kitahata, Holden Village, Chelan, WA
112. Rev. Joseph Klinger, Redemption Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, PA
113. The Rev . Patsy Koeneke, Grand Canyon Synod ELCA, Tucson, AZ
114. Ms. Kathryn Koob, Zion Lutheran Church, Waterloo, IA
115. Rev. Diane Krauszer, Trinity Lutheran Church Palmer, AK Alaska Synod ELCA, Palmer, AK
116. Rev. Marissa Krey, Mission Funding Director, ELCA, Durham, NC
117. Bishop Kristen Kuempel, Northwest Intermountain Synod, Spokane, WA
118. Bishop Kurt Kusserow, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, Pittsburgh, PA
119. Rev. Peter Lai, Grand Canyon Synod, Las Vegas, NV
120. Rev. Chad Langdon, Christ Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS
121. The Rev. Henry Langknecht, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Great Falls, VA
122. Rev. Dr. Mari Larson, Reformation Lutheran Church, Wichita, KS
123. Rev. Dr. Duane Larson, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Houston, TX
124. Rev. Dustin Lenz, Alaska, Christ Lutheran Church ,Fairbanks, AK
125. Rev. Dr. F. Lichner, N.E. PA. Synod, Macungie, PA
126. Pastor Keith Lingwall, Abounding Grace Lutheran Church, Tucson, AZ
127. Rev. Kathleen Lotz, Community of Grace Lutheran Church, Peoria, AZ
128. Rev. Elizabeth Lowry, Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage, AK
129. Rev. Barbara Lundblad, Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN
130. Rev. Jonathan Lynn, Emmanuel English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Etna, PA
131. Pastor Deb Mach, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, NWWA Synod ELCA, Lake Stevens, WA
132. Pastor Carl Mangold, Retired, Scottsdale, AZ
133. Rev. Gregory Mannel, Grand Canyon Synod, Tucson, AZ
134. Deacon Cathy Mannel, Grand Canyon Synod, Tucson, AZ
135. Bishop Gerald Mansholt, East Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA, Appleton, WI
136. Rev. Christian Marien, Ascension Lutheran Church, Waukesha, WI
137. Rev. Brenda Martin, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenville, PA
138. Rev. Tim Maybee, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Saint Paul Area Synod, Circle Pines, MN
139. Pastor Gary McCluskey, University Lutheran Church/Lutheran Campus Ministry, Tempe,
AZ
140. Rev. Jenny McLellan, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, GA
141. Rev. Corey Meier, Grand Canyon, Mesa, AZ
142. The Rev. Kevin Meyer, Grand Canyon Synod/Covenant Lutheran Church, Buckeye, AZ
143. Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer, Lutheran Urban Parish of Tampa , Tampa, FL
144. Pastor Stuart John Michles, Trinity Lutheran Church, Circleville, OH
145. Rev. Pamela Miles, Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church, Mukilteo, WA
146. Dr. Stephanie Mitchell, Emaus ELCA, Kenosha, WI
147. Rev. Donald Moeser, ACSW ELCA Southern Ohio Synod, Retired & Former Executive
Director LSS of NJ, Portsmouth, OH
148. Deacon Lauren Morse-Wendt, Edina Community Lutheran Church, Edin, MN
149. Pastor Fred Nelson, Grand Canyon Synod/New Spirit Lutheran, Tucson, AZ
150. Rev. Kelly Nieman Anderson, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Milwaukee, WI
151. Rev. Paul Ninnemann, Grand Canyon Synod, Rio Verde, AZ
152. Rev. Myron Nysether, Grand Canyon/Retired, Apache Junction, AZ
153. The Rev. Dr. Peggy Ogden-Howe, SWT TX, Georgetown, TX
154. Rev. Tim Oleson, Edmonds Lutheran Church, Edmonds, WA
155. Dr. Kenneth Olson, Metropolitan Chicago Synod Mission Interpreters, Schaumburg, IL
156. Pastor Abigail Orellano, Christ Lutheran Church, Libby, MT
157. Rev. Elizabeth Orling, Southwest Washington Synod, Port Ludlow, WA
158. Rev. Dr. Dennis Orsen, Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Eastmont, Pittsburgh, PA
159. Rev. William Ottum, Alaska Synod / River of Life Lutheran Church, Chugiak, AK
160. Rev. Kaitlin Pabo-Eulberg, Alaska Synod- Epiphany Lutheran-Episcopal Church, Valdez,AK
161. Rev. Sally Padgett, First English Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH
162. Rev. Dr. Duane Pederson, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stamford, CT
163. Rev. Peter Perry, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Glendale, AZ
164. Rev. Dr. Eugene E. Perry, Grand Canyon Synod, Retired Minister, Scottsdale, AZ
165. Pastor Lucas Peters, Alaska Synod, Fairbanks, AK
166. Pastor Harold Peterson, Grand Canyon Synod, Sun City, AZ
167. Rev. Lee Ann Pomrenke, All Saints Lutheran Church, Eagan, MN
168. Rev. Lydia Posselt, Family of God Lutheran/ SEPA/ ELCA, Doylestown, PA
169. Rev. Scott Postlewait, Advent Lutheran Church, Mill Creek, WA
170. Rev. Jane Prestbye, Kent Lutheran Church, Kent, WA
171. Rev. Chon Pugh, Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod; Memorial/First, Texas City, TX
172. Pastor Ryan Pusch, Hebron and St Paul’s Highfield Lutheran Churches, Leechburg, PA
173. Rev. Elisabeth Pynn Himmelman, Campus Lutheran, Kearney, NE
174. Rev. Stephen Quill, ELCA Gulf Coast Synod, Missouri City, TX
175. Pastor Philip Ramstad, First Lutheran Church of Apollo, Apollo, PA
176. The Rev. Ray Ranker, Chaplain, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
177. Rev. Kimberly Rapczak, SWPA/Specialized Ministry, McKees Rocks, PA
178. The Rev. Barbara Rapp, Retired, GCS, Member, New Spirit Lutheran, Tucson, AZ
179. Rev. Dr. Gail Rautmann, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lynnwood, WA
180. The Rev. Michael L. Reed, Holy Angels Church, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
Wilmerding, PA
181. Rev. Patricia Reimer Lowe, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Prescott Valley, Grand Canyon
Synod ELCA, Prescott Valley, AZ
182. The Rev. Amy Reumann, ELCA Advocacy, Washington, DC
183. Rev. Kristin Rice, All Saints Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ
184. Rev. Sharon Richter, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pasadena, CA
185. Reverend Elwood Rieke, Eastern North Dakota Synod/St. John Lutheran, Fargo, ND
186. Rev. David Rinas, Refugee Immigration Ministry, Pepperell, MA
187. Bishop Michael Rinehart, TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA, Houston, TX
188. Rev. Rachel Ringlaben, ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission, Hattiesburg, MS
189. Bishop Peter Rogness, South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA, Madison, WI
190. Rev. Jennifer Rome, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Saint Paul, MN
191. Rev. Sarah Rossing, St. James Lutheran Church, Youngstown, PA
192. Rev. Sandra S. Rudd, Alaska Synod – Sitka Lutheran Church, Sitka, AK
193. Rev. Ron Rude, Grand Canyon Synod/Our Saviour’s Lutheran/Retired Pastor, Tucson, AZ
194. Rev. Elaina Salmon, Bethany Lutheran Church, Lemont, IL
195. Ms. Janet Santiago, Emmanuel Lutheran, Prescott Valley, AZ
196. The Rev. Dr. Craig Alan Satterlee, Bishop of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod
ELCA, Lansing, MI
197. Reverend Frank Sayford, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod/Family of God/Member-
Retired, Warrington, PA
198. Rev. Blake Scalet, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Summit, NJ
199. Rev. Marty Schaefer, Sierra Pacific/Christ Lutheran Church/Retired Clergy, El Cerrito, CA
200. Rev. Robert Schaefer, The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Monroeville, PA
201. Rev. Dr. Clint Schnekloth, Canopy NWA/Good Shepherd Lutheran, Fayetteville, AR
202. The Rev. Eric Shafer, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, CA
203. Rev. Amanda Simons, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN
204. Rev. David Sivecz, Grand Canyon Synod, Celebration Lutheran Church, Peoria, AZ
205. Rev. Ruth Sorenson-Prokosch, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, ELCA, Roseville, MN
206. The Rev. John Spangler, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Parkville, MD
207. The Rev. Dr. Judith Spindt, Southwestern Texas Synod, New Braunfels, TX
208. Pastor Sarah Stadler, Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ
209. Rev. Glen Stadler, Grand Canyon Synod, Gilbert, AZ
210. Rev. Tari Stage-Harvey, Shepherd of the Valley, Juneau, AK
211. Rev. Paula Stecker, Christ the King Lutheran, Colorado Springs, CO
212. Rev. George Steele, St. Mark Lutheran, Hagerstown, MD
213. Rev. Stephanie Steele, Chaplain Diakon Lutheran Social Min Maryland, Hagerstown, MD
214. Rev. Arthur Stees, Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeport, IL
215. Rev. Wendy Steger, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN
216. Rev. Fr. Randy Steinman, Redeemer Church (ELCA), Neptune, NJ
217. Rev. Kimberly Sternet, Lord of Life, Sun City Wedt, AZ
218. Rev. Melissa Stoller, Southwestern PA Synod, ELCA, Pittsburgh, PA
219. Bishop Kevin Strickland, Southeastern Synod, Decatur, GA
220. Pastor Rebecca Sullivan, Lakeview Lutheran Church, Maplewood , MN
221. Bishop Ann Svennungsen, Minneapolis Area Synod, Minneapolis, MN
222. Rev. Rachel Swenson, Grace Lutheran Church, Des Moines, WA
223. Rev. Cara Tanis, NWWA Synod, Emmaus Table, Seattle, WA
224. Rev. Dr. Andrew Taylor, Pacifica Synod, Santee, CA
225. Rev. Andrew Tengwall, Hope Lutheran Church, Saint Paul, MN
226. Rev. Linda Theophilus, Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Eastmont, Pittsburgh, PA
227. Reverend Erik Thone, South Canyon Lutheran Church, Rapid City, SD
228. Pastor Kris Tostengard Michel, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN
229. Rev. Erika Uthe, Southeastern Iowa Synod, Iowa City, IA
230. Reverend Daniel Valasakos, Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA, Tucson, AZ
231. Pastor Vernon A. Victorson, Grand Canyon, Tucson, AZ
232. Rev. Kathryn Warn, Zion Lutheran Church, Manheim, PA
233. Bishop Shelley Wee, Northwest Washington Synod, ELCA, Seattle, WA
234. Bishop Shelley Wickstrom, Alaska Synod ELCA, Anchorage, AK
235. Mr. Brynn Wiessner, Rocky Mountain Synod, Denver, CO
236. Rev. Bonnie Wilcox, First Lutheran Church, Columbia Heights, MN
237. Rev. Michael Wilker, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Washington, DC
238. Rev. Gregory Williams, Grace Lutheran Church, Hendersonville, NC
239. Interim Bishop Lawrence Wohlrabe, Eastern North Dakota Synod ELCA, Fargo, ND
240. Rev. Dr. Annette Woodman-Howe, Southwestern Pennsylvania, Retired, Perryopolis, PA
241. Rev. Ron Zielske, Sierra Pacific Synod, St. John’s Lutheran, Sacramento, CA
242. Deacon Dr. Janice Zimbelman, Grand Canyon Synod, Prescott, AZ
243. Rev. Krista Zimmerman, Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, Racine, WI

Former Refugee ‘bigwigs’ Beg Pompeo to Not Suspend Refugee Admissions

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

As I have been reporting, September is the month when the President normally sends a “determination” to the Hill (for consultation only) in which he reports what the refugee admissions ceiling will be in the upcoming fiscal year which begins October 1. However, he is not required by law to agree to admit any refugees.

All of my recent posts on the topic are tagged FY2021.

There are rumors that President Trump will simply not send anything to Congress effectively signaling a suspension of the program.

Editor:  BTW, regular readers of RRW might be interested in seeing two posts at Frauds and Crooks that could easily have been posted here because they are refugee related. See here and here.

Below we have news from ABC about a letter to Pompeo from mostly a bunch of people you (or I) have never even heard of who participated in changing America by changing the people for decades.

Trump admin urged to accept refugees amid concerns it will indefinitely delay admissions

A group of prominent former U.S. officials is joining state and local governments, U.S. lawmakers, religious leaders and resettlement agencies in urging the Trump administration to increase refugee admissions in fiscal year 2021 amid historic need around the world.

We followed Obama’s last Asst. Sec. of State Anne Richard extensively on these pages. https://refugeeresettlementwatch.org/?s=Anne+Richard

The administration is supposed to consult with Congress and make a decision by the end of the fiscal year, in one week. But there is growing concern that President Donald Trump will decide to zero out refugee admissions, delay them indefinitely, or reduce the admissions cap even further.

[….]

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on Trump’s cap and “the internal discussions or the timeline related to its development,” but told ABC News it was ultimately the president’s decision.

Reuters reported earlier this month that the administration is considering postponing or further cutting admissions.

Schwartz preceded Richard. See RRW posts on Schwartz. Both Richard and Schwartz had early career help from organizations connected to George Soros. https://refugeeresettlementwatch.org/?s=Eric+Schwartz

Seven former U.S. officials who ran the refugee admissions program under both Republican and Democrat administrations urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to express alarm at such a suspension and call for a “substantial increase” in admissions.

More here.

Do we believe for a second that this letter will hold any sway with the President?

Here is the nothingburger letter and the signatories (Purcell and Dewey are reportedly Republicans):

The Honorable Frank Loy
Former Director of the Bureau of Refugee Programs (1980–1981) Former Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs

James N. Purcell, Jr.
Former Director of the Bureau of Refugee Programs (1982–1986) Former Director General of the International Organization for Migration

The Honorable Phyllis Oakley
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (1994–1997) Former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research

The Honorable Arthur Dewey
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (2002–2005) Former United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees

Samuel Witten
Former Acting Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration (2007–2009) Former Deputy Legal Adviser for the U.S. Department of State

The Honorable Eric Schwartz
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (2009–2011) Former NSC Senior Director for Multilateral and Humanitarian Affairs

The Honorable Anne C. Richard
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (2012–2017) Former Director of the Secretary’s Office of Resources, Plans, and Policy, Department of State

Catholic Bishops Lead the Call for More Refugees for America

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

This is basically the same story I reported on two days ago, but I see that Catholic News Service is succeeding in getting it published widely as it keeps popping up around the country.

I thought this version of it, published in Kentucky, sure didn’t highlight the right photo to go along with the story.  First, we don’t take refugees from Greek camps, but really, at this point in time does this photo warm your heart?

People displaced from the destroyed Moria refugee camp rest while waiting to enter a temporary camp on the Greek island of Lesbos Sept. 15, 2020. Refugees were charged with arson in the massive fire.  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8740029/Four-young-Afghan-men-charged-arson-enormous-blaze-Lesbos-migrant-camp.html

 

From The Record:

As federal fiscal year nears, refugee resettlement agencies fear the worst

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has continually called on the administration to allow more refugees into the country.

Why can’t the U.S. Catholic bishops “protect the life and dignity of the human person” in the streets of every major city in America?

In the summer, Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, joined in a statement put out by World Relief and Open Doors about the impact of changes to the nation’s immigration and asylum policy.

“I pray our nation will reverse course and once again stand with refugees and asylum-seekers, including those escaping religious persecution,” Bishop Dorsonville said. “Catholic and evangelical leaders have formally asked the administration to consider refugees fleeing persecution at this time.”

The USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services says its called to defend those seeking shelter, keeping with Catholic Church teaching, and the organization fulfills the commitment of the U.S. Catholic bishops to protect the life and dignity of the human person, including those seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants.

I bet a million bucks that God would be happy with a commitment by the Bishops to help homeless and struggling Americans.

Read more here.

Refugee Industry Activists: A Trump Second Term Could End Program Completely

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

Really, with all the much more important and interesting news coming at us every other minute, I am sure the US Refugee Admissions Program is the farthest thing from your minds.

However, it isn’t for the resettlement contractors under their lobbying umbrella, the Refugee Council USA*** which held a press call earlier this month to wail and moan over the status of the program.

You can read the story yourself at the Catholic publication Crux, but here is one little snip of the press call (unclear how much press was even on the call).

As federal fiscal year nears, refugee resettlement agencies fear the worst

You will remember that refugee champion, California Rep. Zoe Lofgren, played a major role in the Trump Impeachment charade.

In a Sept. 10 press call hosted by Refugee Council USA, which included a panelist from Catholic Charities Dallas, a volunteer at a Catholic refugee resettlement agency, and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, among others, participants expressed worries about how the administration has chiseled away at the program and its possible demise if a second term of the Trump presidency comes to fruition.

“The administration has systematically reduced our commitment to resettling refugees,” said Lofgren, a Democrat from California and chair of the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. “The Trump administration, regrettably, has completely betrayed the spirit and the letter of the Refugee Act.”

Read it all here.

Meanwhile at a rally in Minnesota Trump focused on Joe Biden’s plan to rev-up the refugee program if he wins in November.  From Politico:

Trump at Minnesota rally: Biden will turn state into a ‘refugee camp’

Expect some news in the next ten days as fiscal year 2021 arrives on October first.

Remember that there is no requirement in the Refugee Act of 1980 for the President to admit a single refugee.

All posts on this year’s determination are tagged FY2021.

***I have an extensive archive on the Refugee Council USA, the Washington DC lobbying office created under the auspices of Church World Service, that works to promote refugee resettlement.

540 Local Elected Officials Tell Trump to Open Refugee Pipeline

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

I told you here that the refugee industry was working on a letter to the President urging him to get the refugee flow into America moving again.

Yesterday they sent the letter with 540 signatories.

Says Amnesty International:

By signing this letter, these elected officials have joined together to voice their commitment to welcoming refugees in their communities and reviving the United States’ legacy as a leader in refugee resettlement.

I notice something missing from the letter. It avoids giving the President a number, but the industry has made it very clear!

They want 95,000 refugees to begin arriving on October first.

The President could make a decision this month on how many refugees might be invited to live in the US in FY2021. He could also legally set the ceiling at zero.

All of my posts on the topic are tagged FY2021.

Here are the signatories from yesterday.  The list is handy for identifying those local elected officials who are changing America by changing the people.

I don’t know why the organizers think that these open borders advocates will hold any sway with the President, but they sure make it handy for you to identify the other side where you live. Target them for retirement when they come up for re-election!

(For a little additional fun, see last year’s list here.)

They say the list is bipartisan, but there is no indication of party affiliation.  You will need to look through those listed in your state to see if Republicans are among those looking to import more poverty to your city.

Alabama
Gary Palmer, State Representative, Birmingham
Neil Rafferty, State Representative, Birmingham

Alaska
Elvi Gray-Jackson, State Senator, Anchorage
Andrew Josephson, State Representative, Juneau

Arizona
Ylenia Aguilar, School Board Member, Phoenix
Lela Alston, State Senator, Phoenix
Richard Andrade, State Representative, Phoenix
Andres Cano, State Representative, Tucson
Steven Chapman, Governing Board Member, Phoenix
Cesar Chavez, State Representative, Phoenix
Paul Cunningham, Vice Mayor, Tucson
Andrea Dalessandro, State Senator, Green Valley
Devin Del Palacio, School Board Member, Tolleson
Elora Diaz, School Governing Board Member, Phoenix
Paul Durham, Councilmember, Tucson
Diego Espinoza, State Representative, Avondale
Charlene Fernandez, State Representative, Phoenix
Kristel Ann Foster, School Board President, Tucson
Randall Friese, State Representative, Tucson
Rosanna Gabaldon, State Representative, Sahuarita
Kate Gallego, Mayor, Phoenix
Carlos Garcia, Councilmember, Phoenix
Betty Guardado, Vice Mayor, Phoenix
Daniel Hernandez, State Representative, Tucson
Berdetta Hodge, Tempe Union Governing Board President, Tempe
Steve Kozachik, Councilmember, Tucson
Lauren Kuby, Councilmember, Tempe
Pedro Lopez, Governing Board Member, Phoenix
Adam Lopez-Falk, School Board Member, Phoenix
Lindsay Love, Chandler Unified School District Governing Board Member, Chandler
Juan Mendez, State Senator, Tempe
Patrick Morales, Vice President of the Tempe School Elementary Board and Governing Board Member, Tempe
The Honorable Channel Powe, Governing Board President, Phoenix
Stanford Prescott, Governing Board Member, Phoenix Union High School District, Phoenix
Martín Quezada, State Senator, Phoenix
Rebecca Rios, State Senator, Phoenix
Diego Rodriguez, State Representative, Laveen
Regina Romero, Mayor, Tucson
Athena Salman, State Representative, Tempe
Lane Santa Cruz, Councilmember, Tucson
Raquel Teran, State Representative, Phoenix
Monica Trejo, School Board Member, Tempe
Corey D. Woods, Mayor, Tempe

Arkansas
Andrew Collins, State Representative, Little Rock
Megan Godfrey, State Representative, Springdale
Sonia Gutierrez, Councilmember, Fayetteville
Lioneld Jordan, Mayor, Fayetteville
Matthew Petty, Councilmember, Fayetteville
Joy Springer, State Representative, Little Rock

California
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assemblymember, Sacramento
John J. Bauters, Councilmember, Emeryville
Bob Blumenfield, Councilmember, Los Angeles
Maya Esparza, Councilmember, San Jose
Kevin Faulconer, Mayor, San Diego
Eric Garcetti, Mayor, Los Angeles
Sam Hindi, Councilmember, Foster City
Johnny Khamis, Councilmember, San Jose
Paul Koretz, Councilmember, Los Angeles
Sheila Kuehl, County Supervisor, Los Angeles
Gordon Mar, City and County Supervisor, San Francisco
Peggy McQuaid, Vice Mayor, Albany
Lisa Middleton, Councilmember, Palm Springs
Hillary Ronen, Supervisor, San Francisco
Philip Y. Ting, Assemblymember, San Francisco
Norman Yee, President, Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco

Colorado
KC Becker, State Representative, Boulder
Yadira Caraveo, State Representative, Thornton
Lisa Cutter, State Representative, Littleton
Stephen Fenberg, State Senate Majority Leader, Boulder
Stacie Gilmore, Councilmember, Denver
Julie Gonzales, State Senator, Denver
Michael Hancock, Mayor, Denver
Eva Henry, County Commissioner, Thornton
John Kefalas, County Commissioner, Fort Collins
Chris Kennedy, State Representative, Lakewood
Cathy Kipp, State Representative, Fort Collins
Robin Kniech, Councilwoman At-Large, Denver
Jacob LaBure, Councilman, Lakewood
Pete Lee, State Senator, Colorado Springs
Susan Lontine, State Representative, Denver
Dominick Moreno, State Senator, Commerce City
Crystal Murillo, Councilmember, Aurora
Deborah Ortega, Councilmember At-Large, Denver
Dylan Roberts, State Representative, Avon
Amanda P. Sandoval, Councilwoman, Denver
Lauren Simpson, Councilmember, Arvada
Sam Weaver, Mayor, Boulder
Steven Woodrow, State Representative, Denver

Connecticut
Roland Lemar, State Representative, New Haven
Matthew Lesser, State Senator, Middletown
Edwin Vargas, State Representative, Hartford

Delaware
Bruce C. Ennis, State Senator, Dover

District of Columbia
Brianne K. Nadeau, Councilmember
Brooke Pinto, Councilmember
Elissa Silverman, Councilmember

Florida
Trish Becker, Special District County Commissioner, St. Augustine
Christopher Benjamin, State Representative, Miami Gardens
Lori Berman, State Senator, Delray Beach
Mack Bernard, County Commissioner, West Palm Beach
Marlon Bolton, Mayor, Tamarac
Emma Collum, Supervisor, Fort Lauderdale
Fentrice Driskell, State Representative, Tampa
Bobby DuBose, State Representative, Fort Lauderdale
Nicholas Duran, State Representative, Miami
Buddy Dyer, Mayor, Orlando
Anna Eskamani, State Representative, Orlando
Jelani Harvey, Supervisor, Plantation
Sabrina Javellana, Vice Mayor, Hallandale Beach
Evan Jenne, State Representative, Hollywood
Shevrin Jones, State Representative, West Park
Dotie Joseph, State Representative, Miami
Vanessa Joseph, City Clerk, North Miami
Sarah Leonardi, Broward School Board Member-Elect, Pompano Beach
Amy Mercado, State Representative, Orlando
Cindy Polo, State Representative, Hialeah
Tina Polsky, State Representative, Boca Raton
Harold Pryor, Broward County State Attorney-Elect, Broward County
Chelsea Reed, Councilmember, Palm Beach Gardens
Alissa Schafer, Supervisor, Soil & Water Conservation District, Pembroke Pines
Joshua Simmons, Commissioner, Coral Springs
Nick Sortal, Councilmember, Plantation
Carlos Guillermo Smith, State Representative, Orlando
Linda Stewart, State Senator, Orlando
Annette Taddeo, State Senator, Miami
Victor Torres, State Senator, Orlando/Kissimmee

Georgia
Becky Evans, State Representative, Atlanta
Anthony Ford, Mayor, Stockbridge
Steve Henson, State Senator, Stone Mountain
Zulms Lopez, State Representative-Elect, Atlanta
Pedro Marin, State Representative, Duluth

Hawaii
Stanley Chang, State Representative, Honolulu
Roy Takumi, State Representative, Honolulu
Tina Wildberger, State Representative, Kihei

Idaho
Shawn Barigar, Councilmember ember, Twin Falls
Jimmy Hallyburton, Councilmember, Boise
Kendra Kenyon, County Commissioner, Boise
Diana Lachiondo, County Commissioner, Boise
Lauren McLean, Mayor, Boise
Lauren Necochea, State Representative, Boise
Melissa Wintrow, State Representative, Boise

Illinois
Alma Anaya, County Commissioner, Chicago
Scott Britton, County Commissioner, Glenview
James Cappleman, Alderman, Chicago
Melissa Conyears-Ervin, City Treasurer, Chicago
Daniel Didech, State Representative, Buffalo Grove
Laura Fine, State Senator, Glenview
Robyn Gabel, State Representative, Evanston
Edgar Gonzalez, Jr., State Representative, Chicago
Will Guzzardi, State Representative, Chicago
Lindsey LaPointe, State Representative, Chicago
Daniel La Spata, Alderman, Chicago
Lori E. Lightfoot, Mayor, Chicago
Raymond Lopez, Alderman, Chicago
Matthew Martin, Alderman, Chicago
Kevin Morrison, County Commissioner, Schaumburg
Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer, State Representative, Chicago
Ann Rainey, Alderman, Evanston
George Van Dusen, Mayor, Skokie
Andre Vasquez, Alderman, Chicago

Indiana
Zach Adamson, City Councilor, Indianapolis
John Hamilton, Mayor, Bloomington
Blake Johnson, State Representative, Indianapolis

Iowa
Marti Anderson, State Representative, Des Moines
Tracy Ehlert, State Representative, Cedar Rapids
Lindsay James, State Representative, Dubuque
Mary Mascher, State Representative, Iowa City
Andy McKean, State Representative, Anamosa
Brent Oleson, County Commissioner, Marion
Art Staed, State Representative, Cedar Rapids
Zacharia Wahls, State Senator, Coralville
Stacey Walker, County Supervisor, Cedar Rapids

Kansas
Lacey Cruse, County Commissioner, Wichita
Joyce Warshaw, Mayor, Dodge City
Rui Xu, State Representative, Westwood

Kentucky
Nima Kulkarni, State Representative, Louisville
Susan Westrom, State Representative, Lexington

Louisiana
Cyndi Nguyen, Councilmember, New Orleans

Maine
Pious Ali, City Councilor At-Large, Portland
Brownie Carson, State Senator, Harpswell
Kristen S. Cloutier, State Representative, Lewiston
Jim Handy, State Representative, Lewiston
Thom Harnett, State Representative, Gardiner
Deane Rykerson State Representative, Kittery Point
Denise Tepler, State Representative, Topsham

Maryland
Malcolm Augustine, State Senator, Annapolis
Colin Byrd, Mayor, Greenbelt
Julie Palakovich Carr, Delegate, District 17
Kathleen Dumais, State Representative, Annapolis
Cindy Dyballa, Councilmember, Takoma Park
Brian Feldman, State Senator, Annapolis
Jessica Feldmark, Delegate, Columbia
David Fraser-Hidalgo, Delegate, Annapolis
Dannielle Glaros, County Councilmember, Upper Marlboro
Evan Glass, County Councilmember, Montgomery County
Edouard Haba, Councilmember, Hyattsville
Tom Hucker, Montgomery County Councilmember, Silver Spring
Julian Ivey, Delegate, Cheverly
Anne Kaiser, Delegate, Silver Spring
Kacy Kostiuk, Councilmember, Takoma Park
Clarence Lam, State Senator, Columbia
Susan Lee, State Senator, Annapolis
Mary Lehman, State Representative, Laurel
Sara Love, Delegate, Annapolis
David Moon, Delegate, Takoma Park
Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Delegate, Annapolis
Paul Pinsky, State Senator, Hyattsville
Sheila Ruth, Delegate, Baltimore
Emily Shetty, Delegate, Kensington
Jeffrey Zane Slavin, Mayor, Somerset
Kate Stewart, Mayor, Takoma Park
Deni Taveras, County Councilmember, Adelphi
Jeff Waldstreicher, State Senator, Kensington
Jheanelle Wilkins, Delegate, Silver Spring
Patrick Wojahn, Mayor, College Park

Massachusetts
Kenzie Bok, Councilor, Boston
Candy Mero Carlson, City Councilor, Worcester
Harriette Chandler, State Senator, Worcester
Jo Comerford, State Senator, Florence
Natalie Higgins, State Representative, Leominster
Adam Hinds, State Senator, Pittsfield
Kay Khan, State Representative, Newton
Daniel Koh, Selectboard Member, Andover
Jack Patrick Lewis, State Representative, Framingham
Michael Moore, State Senator, Worcester
David J. Narkewicz, Mayor, Northampton
Tram Nguyen, State Representative, Andover
William Reichelt, Mayor , West Springfield
Lindsay Sabadosa, State Representative, Northampton
Jeffrey Thielman, Arlington School Committee Member, Arlington
Martin J. Walsh, Mayor, Boston

Michigan
Rosalynn Bliss, Mayor, Grand Rapids
Brandon Haskell, County Commissioner, Lansing
Steve Maas, Mayor, City of Grandville
Gwen Markham, County Commissioner, Novi
William Miller, County Commissioner, Pontiac
Kurt Reppart, City Commissioner, Grand Rapids
Monica Sparks, County Commissioner, Kentwood
Robert Wittenberg, State Representative, Huntington Woods
Milinda Ysasi, City Commissioner, Grand Rapids
Doug Zylstra, County Commissioner, Holland

Minnesota
Peter Fischer, State Representative, Maplewood
Jacob Frey, Mayor, Minneapolis
Cam Gordon, Councilmember, Minneapolis
Alice Hausman, State Representative, Saint Paul
Kaohly Her, State Representative, Saint Paul
Melissa Hortman, State Representative, Brooklyn Park
Mitra Jalali, Councilmember, Saint Paul
Frank Jewell, County Commissioner, Duluth
Andrew Johnson, Councilmember, Minneapolis
Sydney Jordan, State Representative, Minneapolis
Fue Lee, State Representative, Saint Paul
Jamie Long, State Representative, Minneapolis
John Marty, State Senator, Roseville
Rena Moran, State Representative, Saint Paul
Beth Olson, County Commissioner, Duluth
Rafael E. Ortega, County Commissioner, Saint Paul
Sandy Pappas, State Senator, Saint Paul
Dave Pinto, State Representative, Saint Paul
Victoria Reinhardt, County Commissioner, White Bear Lake
Cory Springhorn, Councilmember, Shoreview
Jay Xiong, State Representative, Saint Paul

Mississippi
Christopher Bell, State Representative, Jackson
Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Mayor, Jackson

Missouri
LaDonna Appelbaum, State Representative, St. Louis
Shane Cohn, Alderman, St. Louis
Marlene Davis, Alderwoman, St. Louis
Christine Ingrassia, Alderwoman, St. Louis
Kip Kendrick, State Representative, Columbia
Lyda Krewson, Mayor, St. Louis
Heather Navarro, Alderwoman, St. Louis
Lewis Reed, President, Board of Aldermen, St. Louis
Annie Rice, Alderwoman, St. Louis

Montana
Dick Barrett, State Senator, Missoula
Mary Ann Dunwell, State Representative, Helena
John Engen, Mayor, Missoula
Moffie Funk, State Representative, Helena
Katharin Kelker, State Representative, Billings
Marilyn Marler, State Representative, Missoula
Penny Ronning, Councilwoman, Billings
David Strohmaier, County Commissioner, Missoula
Juanita Vero, County Commissioner, Missoula
Tom Winter, State Representative, Missoula

Nebraska
Leirion Gaylor Baird, Mayor, Lincoln
Sue Crawford, State Senator, Bellevue
Machaela Cavanaugh, State Senator, Lincoln

Nevada
Yvanna Cancela, State Senator, Las Vegas
Howard Watts, Assemblymember, Las Vegas

New Hampshire
Amanda Bouldin, State Representative, Manchester
Andrew Bouldin, State Representative, Manchester
Lisa Bunker, State Representative, Exeter
Joyce Craig, Mayor, Manchester
David Doherty, State Representative, Pembroke
Nicole Klein Knight, State Representative, Manchester
Patrick Long, State Representative & Alderman, Manchester
Dr. Peter Somssich, State Representative, Portsmouth
George Sykes, State Representative, Lebanon
Suzanne Vail, State Representative, Nashua
Mary Beth Walz, State Representative, Bow
Safiya Wazir, State Representative, Concord
Matthew B. Wilhelm, State Representative, Manchester

New Jersey
Jim Boyes, Councilman, Westfield
David Cohen, Council President, Princeton
Leticia Fraga, Councilwoman, Princeton
Roy Freiman, Assemblymember, Hillsborough
Sadaf Jaffer, Mayor, Montgomery Township
Devra Keenan, Committee Member, Montgomery Township, New Jersey
Michelle Pirone Lambros, Councilwoman, Princeton
Liz Lempert, Mayor, Princeton
Gayle Brill Mittler, Mayor, Highland Park
Eve Niedergang, Councilmember, Princeton
Mia Sacks, Councilmember, Princeton
Dwaine Williamson, Councilman, Princeton

New Mexico
Karen Bash, State Representative, Albuquerque
Timothy Keller, Mayor, Albuquerque
Gerald Ortiz y Pino, State Senator, Albuquerque
Bill Tallman, State Senator, Albuquerque
Renee Villarreal, Councilwoman, Santa Fe

New York
Alessandra Biaggi, State Senator, Bronx
Karla Boyce, County Legislator, Honeoye Falls
Noam Bramson, Mayor, New Rochelle
Byron W. Brown, Mayor, Buffalo
David Buchwald, Assemblymember, Mount Kisco
Bill de Blasio, Mayor, New York City
Margaret Chin, Councilmember, New York City
Patricia Fahy, Assemblymember, Albany
Vincent Felder, Minority Leader of the Monroe County Legislature, Rochester
Andrew Gounardes, State Senator, New York City
Brad Hoylman, State Senator, New York City
Timothy Kennedy, State Senator, Buffalo
Liz Krueger, State Senator, New York City
Charles Lavine, Assemblymember, Glen Cove
Donna Lupardo, Assemblymember, Binghamton
Rachel May, State Senator, Syracuse
Félix W. Ortiz, Assemblymember, Brooklyn
Amy Paulin, Assemblymember, Scarsdale
Karines Reyes, Assemblymember, Bronx
Carlina Rivera, Councilmember, New York City
Linda B. Rosenthal, Assemblymember, New York City
Nily Rozic, Assemblymember, Queens
Sean Ryan, Assemblymember, Buffalo
Kathy Sheehan, Mayor, Albany
MaryJane Shimsky, County Legislator, White Plains
Jo Anne Simon, Assemblymember, Brooklyn
Colin D. Smith, Westchester County Legislator, Peekskill
Fred Thiele, Assemblymember, Sag Harbor
Daniel Torres, Deputy Supervisor, New Paltz
Lovely Warren, Mayor, Rochester
Steven Weinberg, Mayor, Village of Thomaston
David Weprin, Assemblymember, Fresh Meadows
Gregory Young, County Supervisor, Gloversville

North Carolina
Vickie Adamson, County Commissioner, Raleigh
John Autry, State Representative, Raleigh
Mary Belk, State Representative, Charlotte
Natalie Beyer, School Board Member, Durham
Javiera Caballero, Councilmember, Durham
Heidi Carter, County Commissioner, Durham
Susan Fisher, State Representative, Asheville
Pam Hemminger, Mayor, Chapel Hill
Wendy Jacobs, County Commissioner Chair, Durham
Jillian Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore, Durham
Lydia Lavelle, Mayor, Carrboro
Esther Manheimer, Mayor, Asheville
Graig Meyer, State Representative, Raleigh
Robert Reives, State Representative, Raleigh
Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, County Commissioner, Charlotte
Steve Schewel, Mayor, Durham
Damon Seils, Councilmember, Carrboro
Kandie Smith, State Representative, Greenville
Terry Van Duyn, State Senator, Asheville
Braxton Winston, Councilmember, Charlotte

North Dakota
Tim Mathern, State Senator, Fargo

Ohio
Elizabeth Brown, Council President Pro Tempore, Columbus
Phyllis Cleveland, Councilmember, Cleveland
Valerie Cumming, Vice Mayor, Westerville
David Donofrio, Board of Education Member, Southwestern City School District, Columbus
Rob Dorans, Councilmember, Columbus
Basheer Jones, Councilman, Cleveland
Wade Kapszukiewicz, Mayor, Toledo
Brian Kazy, Councilman, Cleveland
Leeman Kessler, Mayor, Gambier
David Leland, State Representative, Columbus
Dale Miller, County Councilperson, Cleveland
Bhuwan Pyakurel, Councilmember, Reynoldsburg
Emmanuel Remy, Councilmember, Columbus
Matt Zone, Councilmember, Cleveland

Oklahoma
Carrie Blumert, County Commissioner, Oklahoma City
James Cooper, Councilperson, Oklahoma City
Carri Hicks, State Senator, Oklahoma City

Oregon
Chloe Eudaly, Commissioner, Portland
Kathryn Harrington, Washington County Commission Chair, Hillsboro
Susheela Jayapal, County Commissioner, Portland
Alissa Keny-Guyer, State Representative, Portland
Teresa Alonso Leon, State Representative, Salem
Eddy Morales, Gresham City Councilor, Gresham
Sharon Meieran, County Commissioner, Portland
Jessica Vega Pederson, County Commissioner, Portland
Carla C. Piluso, State Representative, Gresham
Carmen Rubio, County Commissioner, Portland
Jeff Reardon, State Representative, Portland
Ricki Ruiz, Reynolds School Board Member, Gresham
Deian Salazar, Precinct Committee Person, Portland
Marc San Soucie, City Councilor, Beaverton
Lori Stegmann, County Commissioner, Portland
Stephanie Stephens, School Board Member, David Douglas School District, Portland
Andrea Valderrama, Chair, David Douglas School Board, Portland
Marty Wilde, State Representative, Eugene

Pennsylvania
Janet Diaz, Councilmember, Lancaster
Ronald Filippelli, Mayor, State College
Jordan Harris, State Representative (Democratic Whip), Philadelphia
Timothy Kearney, State Senator, Springfield
James F. Kenney, Mayor, Philadelphia
Kevin Madden, County Commissioner, Media
Joanna McClinton, State Representative, Philadelphia
William Peduto, Mayor, Pittsburgh
Joseph Schember, Mayor, Erie
Michael Schlossberg, State Representative, Allentown
Judith Schwank, State Senator, Reading
Brian Sims, State Representative, Philadelphia
Jared Solomon, State Representative, Philadelphia
Danene Sorace, Mayor, Lancaster
Erika Strassburger, Councilmember, Pittsburgh

Rhode Island
Jorge Elorza, Mayor, Providence
Raymond Hull, State Representative, Providence

South Carolina
Carol Jackson, Councilmember, Charleston

South Dakota
Shawn Bordeaux, State Representative, Mission
Linda Duba, State Representative, Sioux Falls
Reynold Nesiba, State Senator, Sioux Falls
Ray Ring, State Representative, Vermillion

Tennessee
John Ray Clemmons, State Representative, Nashville
Indya Kincannon, Mayor, Knoxville
Seema Singh, Councilwoman, Knoxville
Tangi Smith, County Commissioner, Clarksville

Texas
Nicole Collier, State Representative, Fort Worth
Vikki Goodwin, State Representative, Austin
Donna Howard, State Representative, Austin
Celia Israel, State Representative, Austin
Clay Jenkins, County Judge, Dallas
Ina Minjarez, State Representative, San Antonio
Christin Morales, State Representative, Houston
Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, San Antonio
Letitia Plummer, Councilmember, Houston
Edward Pollard, Councilmember, Houston
Carl Sherman, State Representative, Lancaster
Sylvester Turner, Mayor , Houston

Utah
Patrice Arent, State Representative, Millcreek
Joel Briscoe, State Representative, Salt Lake City
Luz Escamilla, State Senator, Salt Lake City
Ann Granato, Salt Lake County Council, Millcreek
Stephen Handy, State Representative, Layton
Suzanne Harrison, State Representative, Draper
Timothy Hawkes, State Representative, Centerville
Sandra Hollins, State Representative, Salt Lake City
Jani Iwamoto, State Senator-Assistant Minority Whip, Salt Lake City
Dan Johnson, State Representative, Logan
Brian S. King, State Representative, Salt Lake City
Erin Mendenhall, Mayor, Salt Lake City
Carol Spackman Moss, State Representative, Holladay
Angela Romero, State Representative, Salt Lake City
Jeff Silvestrini, Mayor, Millcreek
Steve Waldrip, State Representative, Eden
Raymond Ward, State Representative, Bountiful
Elizabeth Weight, State Representative, West Valley City
Mark Wheatley, State Representative, Salt Lake City
Jenny Wilson, Mayor, Salt Lake County
Mike Winder, State Representative, West Valley

Vermont
Thomas Chittenden, City Councilor, South Burlington
Brian Cina, State Representative, Burlington
Mari Cordes, State Representative, Lincoln
Ali Dieng, City Councilor, Burlington
Sarah Copeland Hanzas, State Representative, Bradford
Kristine Lott, Mayor, Winooski
Jim McCullough, State Representative, Williston
Ann Pugh, State Representative, South Burlington
Marybeth Redmond, State Representative, Essex
Robin Scheu, State Representative, Middlebury
Joan Shannon, Councilor, Burlington
Maida F. Townsend, State Representative, South Burlington
Theresa Wood, State Representative, Waterbury
Michael Yantachka, State Representative, Charlotte

Virginia
Richard Baugh, Councilmember, Harrisonburg
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Vice Mayor, Alexandria
Patrick Hope, Delegate, Arlington
Mark Keam, Delegate, Vienna
McKinley Price, Mayor, Newport News
Sam Rasoul, Delegate, Roanoke
Sal Romero, Vice Mayor, Harrisonburg
Ibraheem Samirah, Delegate, Herndon
Shelly Anne Simonds, Delegate, Newport News
Kathy Tran, Delegate, Springfield
James Walkinshaw, Supervisor, Fairfax County
Justin Wilson, Mayor, Alexandria

Washington
Claudia Balducci, County Council Chair, Seattle
Reuven Carlyle, State Senator, Seattle
Jeannie Darneille, State Senator, Tacoma
Mona Das, State Senator, Olympia
Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor, Seattle
Joe Fitzgibbon, State Representative, West Seattle
Jessica Forsythe, Councilmember, Redmond
M. Lorena González, City Council President, Seattle
Roger Goodman, State Representative, Kirkland
Mia Gregerson, State Representative, SeaTac
Lisa Herbold, Councilmember, Seattle
Sam Hunt, State Senator, Olympia
Jay Inslee, Governor, Olympia
Karen Keiser, State Senator, Des Moines
Jeanne Kohl-Welles, King County Councilmember, Seattle
Connie Ladenburg, County Councilmember, Tacoma
Liz Lovelett, State Senator, Anacortes
Jamie Pedersen, State Senator, Seattle
Gerry Pollet, State Representative, Seattle
Chris Roberts, Councilmember, Shoreline
Cindy Ryu, State Representative, Shoreline
Rebecca Saldana, State Senator, Seattle
Sharon Tomiko Santos, State Representative, Olympia
Tana Senn, State Representative, Mercer Island
Derek Stanford, State Senator, Bothell
My-Linh Thai, State Representative, Newcastle
Dave Upthegrove, Councilmember, Des Moines
Javier Valdez, State Representative, Seattle
Derek Young, County Councilmember, Tacoma

West Virginia
Rosemary Ketchum, Councilwoman, Wheeling

Wisconsin
Samba Baldeh, Alder, Madison
Shiva Bidar, Councilmember, Madison
David Bowen, State Representative, Milwaukee
Jonathan Brostoff, State Representative, Milwaukee
Ryan Clancy, County Supervisor, Milwaukee
Michele Doolan, Dane County Supervisor, Cross Plains
Julie Gordon, County Board Supervisor, Oshkosh
Michael Norton, County Commissioner, Oshkosh
Shawn Rolland, County Board Supervisor, Wauwatosa
Sequanna Taylor, County Supervisor, Milwaukee
Michael Tierney, Alder, Madison
Michael Verveer, Alderperson, Madison

Wyoming
Charles Pelkey, State Representative, Laramie
Mike Yin, State Representative, Jackson