November 23, 2015
From Elected Officials in Minnesota
‘An Open Letter to the Syrian Refugee Families:
As elected officials and political leaders in Minnesota, we wish to weleome you to our state, We know
your journey has been long and difficult and was not an excursion you chose, We also know that your
journey has led you here, and we are happy to have you.
Minnesota has a history of extending safe haven to people in need from around the world, Hmong,
Somali, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Karen and others came here as refugees and have come to call Minnesota
home. Most of us can only begin to grasp the cruel choices that force people to leave their homes and
their countries, but we can tell you that Minnesota has welcomed people before and we welcome you
now. New Minnesotans have built vibrant communities while becoming part of our shared communities
serving in our legislature and on school boards and city councils, helping make our society a better place
to live. Some people have even come to like our cold winters, seasons they never had before,
‘Terrorists have attacked people and communities in your home country and in other nations, but they
have also tried to attack the notion of our shared humanity. ‘They have perpetrated the idea that there is
more that divides us than unites us. They are wrong and we will not fall into this trap — one that leads to
exclusion of people who need our help in the face of shared threats,
‘You may hear voices in the media and from politicians calling for us to close ourselves off and look ever
inward as a state and nation. ‘These voices do not represent the majority, nor do they speak to the best
within all of us as a state or country. Fear should never overwhelm our belief in our common humanity
and our commitment to care for others, as we would hope others would care for us in a time of
Terrorists will not dictate our policies toward refugees and they most certainly will not dictate our
compassion,
As astate with a proud history of becoming a new home to immigrants and refugees from around the
world, we want to extend our sincerest welcome. We hope that you will be able to experience the promise
of the Minnesota that we believe in —as a state with communities that value opportunity, inclusion,
kindness, and a genuine commitment to building a shared future with all people who call our state home.
Sincerely,
Senate President Sandra Pappas Human Rights Commis
—davdla. 2 Poppa. pu Py
joner Kevin LindseySenator Tony Lourey
oy
Senator Patricia Torres Ray
Nite thy,
Senator Chris Eaton
Chie) Bet!
Senator Richard Cohen
;
“Rel
Senator Scott Dibble
0 batt ithe
Senator Foung Hawyj
State Auditor Rebecca Otto
‘Representative Karen Clark
Kare Coat
Representative Rena Moran
Ru Steere
Representative Jim Davnie
Representative Connie Bemardy
Representative Phyllis Kahn
QQ. On
Representative Frank Homstein
- >.
bb lige
Representative Mike Freiberg
Representative JoAnn Ward
& Laat titetd
Representative John Lesch
(hia
Representative Alice Hausman
Representative David Pinto
Dave fate
Representative Barb Yarusso
tot
Representative Jennifer Schultz
Got
Representative Sandra Masin
somtie Wloire
Representative Susan Allen
Representative Carolyn Laine
Carel Sime