Title
To recognize and celebrate the month of June 2017 as Immigrant Heritage Month
...Body
WHEREAS, immigration has been an integral component of the growth and success for the United States of America, the State of Ohio, and the City of Columbus since their founding; and
WHEREAS, immigrants contribute cultural richness to the City of Columbus and are active participants in the economy and subsequent successes and prosperity of the City; and
WHEREAS, immigrants represent nearly a quarter of the population growth in the City of Columbus. They have a higher rate of entrepreneurship and business ownership than the overall population, and make substantial contributions to the economy including contributing $258 million in state and local tax dollars and $2 billion dollars in spending and consumption, or approximately 5.3 percent of the total spending power in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Immigration boosts housing values in communities. According to the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, the value added by immigration to the price of the average home was $4,295 in Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, Columbus is proud of its history of welcoming and accepting all groups of people, exemplified by its New American Initiative, which provides a comprehensive strategy to give equal opportunity to all refugees and immigrants and allows them to become responsible, productive residents of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Columbus will continue to support immigrant families and the businesses that they run. Columbus is a welcoming and inclusive city and stands as a pillar of acceptance throughout the United States; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby recognize the month of June 2017 as “Immigrant Heritage Month”.