Thank you all for coming tonight.

As I did at the last meeting, I ask that our discussion be serious and sincere, but respectful and polite.

Nothing good will come from vicious and personal attacks, and they will not be tolerated.

About a month ago, I proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act.

Since then, my office has received more than 8,000 emails supporting the measure.

We have received overwhelmingly positive responses from literally every state in the union, from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska.

But we don’t have to look far to see some of our most vocal support.

Grant Street, Locust Street, Laurel Street, Arthur Street,

Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Senator Kennedy.

Thank you for your invitation to be here today so I can address an extremely important issue facing our City: illegal immigration.

Late on the night of May 10th, 2006, a 29-year-old Hazleton resident, Derek Kichline, was standing near his truck a few blocks from the heart of our downtown.

Two men approached him, then shot him in the face from about a foot away. Kichline fell to the pavement and died.

The next day, a 14-year-old boy took out a gun and started firing shots in a crowded City playground - a place I consider sacred ground.

First, let me thank everyone for coming tonight. This is certainly an important issue that will affect every Hazleton resident.

I ask that our discussion tonight be serious and sincere, but respectful and polite. Nothing good will come from vicious and personal attacks, and they will not be tolerated.

Let me begin by saying that I believe the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth. People who are in this country have an incredible amount of opportunities and blessings. But some people have taken advantage of America's openness and tolerance.

Some come to this country and refuse to learn English, creating a language barrier for city employees.

We need your help! Please donate!

Your contribution will help us win this fight! Send a check or money order to:
City of Hazleton Legal Defense Fund, c/o Mayor Joe Yannuzzi
City Hall, 40 N. Church St., Hazleton, PA 18201

Carpentersville group wants discussion on illegal immigration

By Larissa Chinwah
Daily Herald Staff Writer

Members of the Fox Valley Citizens for Legal Immigration say they are tired of Carpentersville Village President Bill Sarto’s repressive treatment of discussions concerning illegal immigration.

Now, group leaders have strapped on their gloves and thrown down a challenge to the mayor: Hold a public discussion on illegal immigration.

The group, established to support Carpentersville trustees Paul Humpfer and Judy Sigwalt in their efforts to introduce an immigration-related ordinance in October, will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the VFW hall in West Dundee to officially announce the challenge.