RESOLUTION NO. 230447

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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas

RESOLUTION - Establishing the Mayor's Commission for New Americans to advise the City on opportunities to better support immigrants and refugees living in Kansas City.

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WHEREAS, the Kansas City region is home to over 150,000 immigrants; and

WHEREAS, at a time when the general population in the metro area grew by 40 percent, the immigrant population increased by more than 300 percent; and

WHEREAS, immigrants are an important part of our economic and cultural fabric; and

WHEREAS, Kansas City seeks to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all; and

WHEREAS, the City works with a range of partners to provide programs and services to support New Americans living Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, the City has joined with regional partners convened by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to develop a Welcoming KC Plan; and

WHEREAS, government leadership has been identified as a key pillar of the Welcoming KC Plan; NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That the Mayor and Council reaffirm their commitment to ensuring Kansas City is a welcoming and inclusive place for all, including our immigrant and refugee community.

Section 2. That the Mayor's Commission for New Americans, which shall have between 5 and 9 members, is hereby established to advise the Mayor and Council on opportunities to better support New Americans living in Kansas City. This may include but is not limited to:

(a) Promoting and supporting immigrant and refugee integration into the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of Kansas City.

(b) Facilitating bidirectional communication between the City and immigrant communities.

(c) Supporting outreach, in conjunction with City staff, to help connect immigrants, refugees, and individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) with relevant programs, benefits, and services.

(d) Helping the City set an...

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