From the Readers

Congrats from Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer

Dear Veronica,

With admiration, I offer my congratulations as VIA Times celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its publication.

You and all associated with your publication perform a most valuable service not only for your readers but for the larger community. Providing information in a coherent and meaningful manner is not merely a job, it is a mission.

I salute you for your commitment, which is so important to all who are familiar with your publication and depend on it. Readers and the business community that benefit each other because of your efforts.

As one who believes that reading is the most crucial form of communication, I thank you and wish you a long run for your publication.

MARIA PAPPAS

COOK COUNTY TREAS.

 

An open letter to the Philippine Government and the Filipino American Community to help advocate for Congressional Gold Medal to WWII Fil-am vets:

My name is Rose San Diego, a Filipina nurse assisting the Chicago Fil-Am WWII veterans with their advocacy in obtaining the Congressional Gold Medal along with the returning of the Balangiga Bells.

As a people, for centuries, we have risen above many obstacles, from being conquered by foreign occupation and colonial rule of other countries, to severe disciplines and atrocities brought on by WWII’s aggressions. As a nation of determined Filipinos, we have acclaimed our independence to finally be selfsovereign.

We are looking for commitment from the heart to volunteer, for a continued direct action approach from each Fil- SUBSCRIPTION Am WWII veteran and/or their families…to be considered for this honor.

For further inquiries, please contact us via email: rsunrise2@ aol.com (Rose San Diego)

 

LANGUAGE ADVOCACY

Fifteen years ago today on August 11, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 13166. This law vastly increased access to government services by requiring that Federal agencies implement translation services to aid the limited English proficient. Prior to this order, access to in-language materials and translators were never a guarantee, even in areas with high Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. However in the past decade and a half, federal agencies that have embraced these changes have gone a long way towards ensuring access to important federal programs for the one-third of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are limited English proficient.

Yet the fight for equal language access is far from over. Implementation of 13166 has not been perfect and OCA, in conjunction with our community partners, is working hard to ensure that the concerns of the AAPI community are heard. Part of the problem is educating public officials about how government policies affect our extremely diverse community.

We took the first steps to correct this problem but it is now time to recommit ourselves to the task of improving language access. If we fail to do so, we are leaving some of the most underserved and impoverished individuals in our community with no way to improve their lives and no voice in our democracy to change it. In many respects, part of our challenge as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is that our community encompasses so many different languages and dialects. We encompass the full spectrum of political thought, economic success, and educational achievement. But to be successful in attaining our common goals, we must come together. When we speak as one, our voices cannot be ignored. When we act as one, our hard work is rewarded.