Testimony of Khmer Maine President Marpheen Chann in Support of L.D. 2167 “An Act to Develop Maine's Economy and Strengthen Its Workforce by Establishing an Office of New Americans "
Testimony of Khmer Maine President Marpheen Chann in Support of L.D. 2167 “An Act to Develop Maine's Economy and Strengthen Its Workforce by Establishing an Office of New Americans "
Good afternoon Senator Nangle, Representative Stover, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government.
My name is Marpheen Chann and I am here today as President of Khmer Maine to speak in favor of LD 2167: An Act to Develop Maine's Economy and Strengthen Its Workforce by Establishing an Office of New Americans.
Khmer Maine is a community organization working to improve the quality of life and the social and economic well-being of Cambodians in Maine through cultural exchange, community building, and civic engagement. I helped found the organization and have led and guided its growth over the past five years not just because I was born to Cambodian refugees here in the States, but because through foster care and adoption, I had lost my connections to the community, the culture, and the language of my parents and grandparents. Service to the Cambodian community was, in some ways, finding my way back home - even though I've seldom strayed too far from Maine.
Khmer Maine as an organization has evolved into many things for the Cambodian community. For our elders, the survivors of a genocide that wiped out upwards of 2 million people (which is more than the entire population of the state of Maine), we've helped foster a sense of place and belonging. Just this past month we launched our Citizenship Prep Classes for elders preparing to take the Citizenship Test and interviews. They are hard at work practicing their English, learning about American history, the importance of the rule of law and democracy. Youth and their parents, too, can find the support and resources they need not only to connect to the cultural heritage of their parents and grandparents, and ancestors, but also to connect to jobs, opportunities, and to make social, cultural, and economic contributions to the State of Maine. Just look at Luke’s Lobster, Bristol Seafoods, Barber Foods, IDEXX, Abbott Labs, and Hannaford warehouses. You'll find Cambodians working hard to make a living and paying taxes. My job as President of Khmer Maine is to advocate for them and ensure they have what they need to raise their families, find community, and give back to Maine.
I share this to give you a glimpse of the impact an organization like Khmer Maine has had on a population of over 2,500 people of Cambodian heritage living in Cumberland and York counties, Augusta, and Bangor.
Imagine the impact a statewide office like the Office of New Americans would have on Maine's economy and future. With plans to strengthen English-language acquisition opportunities; streamline processes to more efficiently allow immigrants with skills, education, and professional experience to help meet our workforce needs now and in the future; and with the goal of spurring economic activity and growth through the support of immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners - the impact of the Office of New Americans will help Maine become a cultural and economic powerhouse, not only in the U.S. but globally.
But to achieve such a bold and promising vision, we need to make both near-term and long-term investments in Maine’s people and workforce. Your support of L.D. 2167: An Act to Develop Maine's Economy and Strengthen Its Workforce by Establishing an Office of New Americans, is an investment in Maine’s future.
Thank you.
Marpheen Chann
President of Khmer Maine
(207) 245-2173
