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Arrival of Hispanics Is an Excellent Sign
Posted 12/8/2005 06:00 AM

Our economy only recently has generated opportunities to attract people who want to live the American dream.
West Virginia now is seeing more and more Spanish-speaking people establish their homes in the Mountain State.

Reporter Beth Gorczyca has spoken to immigrants from Mexico, Honduras and South America who have found opportunities in West Virginia, especially Jefferson, Berkeley, Grant, Hardy and Monongalia counties.

The arrival of immigrants is hardly new, but it has been years since foreign-born people arrived here in great numbers. West Virginia was a melting pot during the first half of the 20th century. Immigrants helped build the Mountain State. Italians, Poles, Germans and others -- many speaking only their native languages -- labored in our mines and mills to support their families and build our communities. Their children and grandchildren today are community and business leaders, bankers, lawyers and doctors. They are the backbone of our state.

Today, Hispanics are arriving in West Virginia to build their lives and dreams in a country that provides opportunity to those who are willing to work. Sadly, our economy only recently has generated opportunities to attract people who want to live the American dream.

We expect the newly arrived Hispanic population to distinguish itself through hard work, pursuit of education and its steadfast belief in the principles that have made our country the land of opportunity.

In the meantime, native West Virginians are extending the hand of friendship and commerce to our new neighbors, whose arrival is a good sign for all of us.