"The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota humbly accepts this award on behalf of the 230 immigrant workers and their family members in Worthington, MN whose already difficult lives were radically and irreparably turned upside down on December 12, 2006.

This award sends a much-needed message of hope and courage to those living in the shadows of our neighborhoods that today are more isolated and frightened than ever. It is a small sign of hope for those whose futures depend on fair immigration reform yet who saw their hopes raised then dashed by elected officials who preferred political sound bites about illegal aliens to bipartisan solutions to fix a broken system. ILCM’s efforts to change our immigration laws seek to prevent the further encroachment of pain from our de facto immigration reform and replace it with reform that is practical, fair, and humane.

Immigrating to a place like Minnesota, whether it’s the 18th, 19th or the 21st century, is the story of the each generation’s hope and trust in a better future. Today, immigrant stories can be tragedies like that of the 230 in Worthington, or they can be epic stories of success that make us all stand taller. Minnesota is currently helping to write the stories of soaring graduation rates for Hmong and Somali refugees that fled tragedies we could never comprehend. Minnesota is also the backdrop for unfolding stories whose endings we do not yet know, like the thousands of Liberians saved by a last-minute, temporary reprieve; or the unbelievable story of Latino men who have overcome many obstacles to now be recognized as having the highest percentage of employment for any race or group in the U.S. Through this award you have validated these immigrant stories and tell each community their voices are not only valid but will be respected in Minnesota. This award represents the most powerful of emotions – hope.

ILCM extends its sincere thanks to all its supporters and friends, particularly:

John Kostishak and the Otto Bremer Foundation; Bruce Beneke of Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services for his key collaboration and selflessness; HRK Foundation; Mardag Foundation; LSAC and LTAB Boards; law firms, lawyers, churches and synagogues; the immigration bar; UFCW local 1161 and Mike Potter; Jerry Fiola and everyone at West School, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Worthington for being ILCM's shelter, partners and sustainers; Ruby Lee for her personal encouragement to get ILCM involved in advocacy work; Valerie Lee and the Emma B. Howe Memorial Foundation of the Minneapolis Foundation for the critical initial support; El Fondo, and the Multicultural Endowment of the St. Paul Foundation for their essential support.

Finally, ILCM dedicates this award to the individuals like Martha and Simon who take risks to tell their story and in so doing, put real, true human faces to the need for immigration reform."

-excerpted from Executive Director John Keller's acceptance speech of the award at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference in October 4th and 5th in Duluth, MN