Press Release – April 18, 2017
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For immediate release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Photos Courtesy of Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For immediate release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Photos Courtesy of Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
Hansen convenes 10th District multicultural coalition
In a proactive effort to better represent constituencies all across the 10th Senatorial District, Sen. Stephanie Hansen has convened a Multicultural Advisory Coalition that will meet monthly to discuss a wide range of issues facing Delawareans of various races, nationalities, and faith communities.
“I’ve long believed that we must proactively come to the table as members of different races and cultures to discuss the things we have in common, and the things that are unique to our experiences,” Hansen said. “That’s why convening this Coalition has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to the Senate in February.”
An initial meeting of the Coalition was held April 13 in Middletown. More than a dozen community stakeholders participated, including representatives from:
The Coalition will meet monthly at various locations throughout the district in order to maintain a running dialogue about a wide variety of issues facing individual communities and the 10th District as a whole. During last week’s meeting, for example, topics ranged from a practical suggestion that state forms to be available in Chinese for the state’s sizable Chinese community, to a discussion of a recent controversy in the Senate chamber where a local Imam’s reading from the Quran was criticized by a Republican lawmaker.
“I think that incident, as unfortunate as it was, underscored the need for us to make it a point to sit down at the table across from one another and listen,” Hansen said. “We have an incredibly diverse district, and that should be celebrated. If we keep an open mind and an open dialogue, the things that make us different can make us stronger, not more divided.”
“Sen. Hansen deserves a great deal of credit for bringing all of us together and listening to us,” said Curtis Rogers, Vice President of the MOT Branch of the NAACP. “We may come from different backgrounds, but first and foremost we are Delawareans and we care deeply about the state we call home, one another, and all of our neighbors.”
“I’ve long believed that we must proactively come to the table as members of different races and cultures to discuss the things we have in common, and the things that are unique to our experiences,” Hansen said. “That’s why convening this Coalition has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to the Senate in February.”
An initial meeting of the Coalition was held April 13 in Middletown. More than a dozen community stakeholders participated, including representatives from:
- MOT Chapter of the NAACP;
- Delaware Africa Caribbean Coalition;
- Delaware Council on Global and Muslim Affairs;
- Delaware Asian American Business Association;
- Indo American Association of Delaware;
- Jamaican Diaspora;
- Emerge USA; and
- Individual members of the Hispanic and Chinese communities
The Coalition will meet monthly at various locations throughout the district in order to maintain a running dialogue about a wide variety of issues facing individual communities and the 10th District as a whole. During last week’s meeting, for example, topics ranged from a practical suggestion that state forms to be available in Chinese for the state’s sizable Chinese community, to a discussion of a recent controversy in the Senate chamber where a local Imam’s reading from the Quran was criticized by a Republican lawmaker.
“I think that incident, as unfortunate as it was, underscored the need for us to make it a point to sit down at the table across from one another and listen,” Hansen said. “We have an incredibly diverse district, and that should be celebrated. If we keep an open mind and an open dialogue, the things that make us different can make us stronger, not more divided.”
“Sen. Hansen deserves a great deal of credit for bringing all of us together and listening to us,” said Curtis Rogers, Vice President of the MOT Branch of the NAACP. “We may come from different backgrounds, but first and foremost we are Delawareans and we care deeply about the state we call home, one another, and all of our neighbors.”
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov