Councilmembers Daniel Dromm, Ruben Wills and Eric Ulrich were joined by community leaders and other advocates at a press conference on May 29 to urge the city to protect Immigrant Opportunities Initiative (IOI) and adult literacy funding which provides essential services to immigrant New Yorkers. “The people that have the least are the ones affected the most in difficult economic times and they are always the last ones to recover,” said Dromm, who chairs the City Council’s Committee on Immigration. “Our immigrant communities simply cannot afford these cuts proposed by Mayor Bloomberg. We need to ensure that they are given the opportunities and the resources necessary to become fully integrated in our society and to pursue the American dream. IOI and adult literacy funding have to be top priorities and current levels of funding must be preserved.” “When immigrants learn the English language, they become more active members of their communities,” said K.C. Williams, director of Adult Education at Queens Community House. “They become more involved in their children’s education. They get better jobs, and contribute more to the tax base. ESOL classes are a short term investment in the quality of life of our city.” The rally was held at the South Queens Boys & Girls Club in Richmond Hill.