FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 25, 2007                               
CONTACT:  Ronette Rumpca, 605-773-6011, Ronette.Rumpca@state.sd.us

Immigration forum coming to Cultural Heritage Center

PIERRE, SD -- The South Dakota State Historical Society will host a free public forum, “The New Challenges of American Immigration,” on Wednesday, Aug. 1, from 6-8 p.m. at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

The event is one of the South Dakota Issue Forums, a project of the Chiesman Foundation For Democracy, Inc. in Rapid City. The Chiesman Foundation is a private nonpartisan organization that serves as a channel for greater awareness of the meaning of democracy and the importance of all citizens to be active participants in the democratic process. Dr. John J. Usera, CEO of the Chiesman Foundation, will moderate the forum.

The public forum compliments the traveling exhibit Immigration and Caricature: Ethnic Images from the Appel Collection in the Hogen Gallery of the Cultural Heritage Center through Sept. 9. The exhibit explores how ethnic stereotypes appeared in newspaper cartoons, postcards and other printed material from the Civil War to World War I. The museum staff has added items from the collection of the State Historical Society to bring a South Dakota perspective to the immigration issue.   

“Immigration in the late 1800s was a hot topic during that time, much like immigration in 2007,” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society. “Some of the issues addressed in the exhibit such as how new immigrants will mesh with or change American culture are the same issues being discussed today. The exhibit gives some historical perspective and the forum lets people share current views on immigration.”

During the forum, attendees will consider three ways to address immigration issues. Each approach re-examines immigration policies, as some Americans struggle with changes in demographics and traditional values within the state and nation. The first approach examines how increasing diversity threatens common ideals of language, religion, quality of life and democracy. The second approach looks at America’s heritage and how as a nation of immigrants the country continues to welcome newcomers despite the costs. The third approach investigates how immigrants strain the public purse, compete for jobs, and exceed the nation’s carrying capacity.

Participants are invited to comment on the issue’s relevance to their lives or community. The forum gives people a chance to discuss a timely issue in a different way from everyday conversation and adversarial debate. Participants are free to express any opinion as long as the forum ground rules are followed.

After the forum, participants will be allowed to view the immigration exhibit and the rest of the museum free of charge until 9 p.m.

The museum in the Cultural Heritage Center is open 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. on Sundays and most holidays. Call (605) 773-3458 for more information, or visit www.sdhistory.org.