HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-2017 Item 1, IoannidisCOUNCIL MEETING:
ITEM NO. — �— - OCT d
3 2017
10 U.S. Congress Public Law 100-62fS.J. Res. 867];June 29,1987 - r't �-"Ty
National Ininuarants Iia..
�f October 28
www.immigrantsday.com
Founder: Nick M. loannidis
September 1, 2017
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
As founder of "National Immigrants Day" it is my duty to remind all the immigrant communities, cities,
states, and U.S. elected officials of the importance of this day. Every October 28 since 1988, when U.S.
Congress passed it as Public Law 100-62[S.J. Res. 867], we have been commemorating all immigrants of
all races, creeds, and ethnic groups across the nation. For 31 years, this is a day that all immigrants must
come together to celebrate the significant contributions we have made to this great country. "It is a day
for all immigrants -old and new -to come together as brothers and sisters, to belong to the country."
[Nick loannidis, Los Angeles Times, by Lucille Renwick, October 27, 1988].
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my letter. You can visit my website at:
www.immigrantsday.com for more information and to read more of who I am and what I have
accomplished. Thank you for all your support. Let me know if you have any questions, my phone
number is (310)488-3752.
Sincerely,
Nick loannidis
Nick the Greek
Founder of National Immigrants Day
U.S. Congress Public Law 100-62[S.J. Res.867]; June 29, 1987
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tuber¢, Nick M. loannidis (Nick the Greek) has been a symbol of freedom, hope
and opportunity to all those who gather in Huntington Park to partici.
pate in the activities in observance of National Immigrants Day; and
%Micreas, for centuries, people from countries throughout the world have come to
our great nation with the hope that they would be able to secure a better
life for themselves and their families; and
itCreAS, The United States truly is a country of great ethnic diversity and
multicultural character which has provided our nation with boundless
energy and strength and contributed significantly to our growth,
progress and prosperity; and
-MIC WS, millions of immigrants settled throughout the vast territory of the United
States and supported the ideals of independence and liberty, these
immigrants have demonstrated the dedication and perseverance that
enabled them to make their dreams come true; and
i1�iiCl'CAS, Governors from all over this great country have proclaimed October
281h National Immigrants Day and encourage citizens to observe this
day with appropriate ceremonies and activities:
(Be e iI resols-d by`,1Ua ini7Waters,
`lRember nwress fhaf.-
the congress of the Uniled States, does hereby
salute Nick the Greek for his exemplary service to the children, parents,
and communities of the City of Huntington Park and extend best wishes
and continued success.
VafeOctober 28,1992 Sl nd 7;1;��
News,rom the office of
Congressman Augustus F. Hawkins
CALIFORNIA — 29TH DISTRICT
2371 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASWNGTON, D.C. 20515 n
Statement by Congressman Augustus F. Hawkins
in behalf of Nick Ioannidis on his
celebration of American citizenship
April 13, 1988
Mr. Speaker, on April 13, 1988, Nick Ioannidis, a constituent of
mine in Huntington Park, California will be celebrating his twelfth
year as a citizen of the United States. To help celebrate this proud
and unique occasion, a number of local community and fraternal
organizations will come and express their support, including the
Downey Elks Lodge No. 2020.
On October 14, 1969 Nick Ioannidis, known as "Nick the Greek",
immigrated to America from a small island in North Greece. He came
to California, and settled in the city of Huntington Park. A tailor
by trade, Nick got a job with the May Company the second day he
arrived in the United States. Because of his special talents, the
company hired an interpreter for him, and within 2 years he had saved
enough money to open his own tailor shop in Huntington Park. Once he
got established at his place of business he applied for his
citizenship papers and was sworn in as an American citizen.
Nick's celebration is rooted in the sincere pride he has for
America and its tradition of liberty and freedom. Last year, in
recognition of the great contributions of America's immigrants, the
Congress designated October 28, 1987 as "National Immigrants Day".
This Act was passed on that particular day and month to coincide with
the Statue of Liberty dedication by France to the United States in
October, 1886. The resolution reads as follows:
PUBLIC LAW 100-62 [S.J.Res. 861; June 29, 1987
NATIONAL IMMIGRANTS DAY—PROCLAMATION
Jolnf R*solvfion to doslynaft Ocfobor 22, 1927, as "National Immigrants Day".
Whereas the Statue of Liberty has been the symbol of freedom,
hope, and opportunity for millions of immigrants since the people
of France dedicated the Lady of Liberty to the people of America
on October 28,1886;
Whereas the Statue of Liberty serves as a reminder to all that the
United States is a .nation of immigrants, a nation of nations;
Whereas the Statue of Liberty is a lasting memorial to the
immigrants who have made America great;
Whereas millions of immigrants settled throughout the vast terri-
tory of the United States, and supported the ideals of independ-
ence and liberty;
Wherem the torch held by the Statue of Liberty serves as a beacon
of freedom that lives in the soul of every American;
Whereas on October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty began to greet
immigrants who came to America in pursuit of their d eams; and
Whereas it is only fitting that we set aside October 23, 1987, as a day
of celebration to honor the immigrants welcomed by the burn-
ing torch of the Lady of Liberty to this land of freedom: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of hqpresentatfves of the United
States of America in Congress assernb2ed, That October 28, 1987, is
designated as "National lain *.-tats Day", and the President is
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the
people of the United States to obgerve such day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.
Immigrants came to America for a number of reasons, in search of
freedom to worship, to escape political tyranny, or to flee from the
wrenching grip of poverty. Others traded'a labor term for freedom as
indentured servants. And perhaps in our nation's darkest hour,
slaves from Africa were bought and sold to supply labor for Southern
plantations.
An indication of the great racial and cultural diversity of our
nation is rooted ironically in the discovery of America. The name
"America" was bestowed to this continent by a German mapmaker, Martin
Waldseemuller, to honor an Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci. The
three ships which discovered America sailed under a Spanish flag,
were commanded by an Italian sea captain, and included in their crews
an Englishman, an Irishman, a Jew and a Black - Pedro Alonzo Nino who
navigated Columbus' flagship, the Nina.
Every ethnic minority has served to build and strengthen this
great nation. Immigrants were largely responsible for our turn of
the century transformation into a world industrial and agricultural
giant. A report by Charles 0. Paullin from the Dictionary of
American Biography revealed the tremendous contributions of
immigrants from the 18th and 19th Century in the following arts and
sciences: 20 percent of the businessmen, 20 percent of the scholars
and scientists, 23 percent of the painters, 24 percent of the
engineers, 28 percent of the architects, 29 percent of the clergymen,
46 percent of the musicians and 61 percent of the actors were of
foreign births.
As John F. Kennedy observed in his book, A Nation of Immigrants,
adjustment to the new land presented a pressing challenge to the
immigrant, but has enriched us as a society, and strengthened our
national determination:
"The ideal of the 'melting pot' symbolized the process
of blending many strains into a single nationality, and
we have come to realize in modern times that the
'melting pot' need not mean the end of particular
ethnic identities or traditions."
The former President went on to write that our nation's
immigrants reminded every American that:
"change is the essence of life,
and that American society is a
process, not a conclusion."
Indeed, today John Kennedy would be proud of the great strides
we have taken to improve the quality of life for all our citizens.
Poet Walt Whitman, whose poems celebrated the dignity and freedom of
the common man wrote,
"These States are the amplest poem,
Here is not merely a nation but
a teeming Nation of nations."
It gives me special pleasure to honor Nick Ioannidis in Congress
and all the participants at the open house celebration on April
13th. Without question, this celebration of America and its rich
traditions, inspires us as individuals; rejoices in the beauty of our
ethnic and cultural diversity; unites us as a nation; and offers a
beacon of hope to future generations of Americans to dream, to
strive, to contribute, and to succeed.
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