<div class="xtend"><a id="pl.1.1"></a><var>1.1</var>A resolution<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.2"></a><var>1.2</var>memorializing the President and Congress to promote the United States' ability to <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>compete in the global marketplace for talented and necessary workers.<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>WHEREAS, immigration policy is set at the federal level, but the actual benefits and <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>challenges of immigration are felt at the state and local levels; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>WHEREAS, discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, and national origin <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>is prohibited by the Minnesota Human Rights Act as well as the United States Constitution; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>WHEREAS, state and local resources should be used to strengthen communities, not to <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>support a broken federal immigration system, particularly where public safety is placed at risk; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>WHEREAS, the shortfall of young workers and the growing demand for low-skill jobs to <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>support the development of the Governor's proposed Economic Empowerment Zones create a <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>need for immigrant workers in Minnesota; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>WHEREAS, immigrants and employers are forced into an underground market as only <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>5,000 visas for low-skill positions are issued for an estimated 500,000 jobs available each <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>year; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>WHEREAS, it is beneficial for new immigrants, the host communities, the state, and <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>the nation for immigrants to quickly adjust to and integrate into life in Minnesota, learn <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>English, become citizens, buy homes, start businesses, send their children to college, and thrive <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>economically; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>WHEREAS, immigrants make important contributions to the economic, social, and <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>political vitality of the United States and the state of Minnesota; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota has a proud tradition of recognizing and rewarding hard <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>work ethic, determination, and citizenship; NOW, THEREFORE, <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota  that the Congress of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>United States should speedily enact: (a) comprehensive immigration reform that includes: (1) <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>provisions that prioritize and expedite family reunification; (2) the expansion of the number of <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>both high- and low skill work visas that satisfy the workforce demands of local communities <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>in agriculture and business industry; and (3) the provisions of S. 1033/H.R. 2330, the Secure <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>America and Orderly Immigration Act, particularly the following provisions that support the <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>state government initiatives: (i) TITLE IX, Section 902, a competitive grant program to fund <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>certified entities to provide civics and English classes; and (ii) TITLE X, Section 1001, federal <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>reimbursement of hospitals for the emergency care of undocumented immigrants; and (b) <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>legislation that provides federal impact aid to the state of Minnesota.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of  the United States, <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United  <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.<br />
         		
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