Credit: County of Bucks
A new countywide advisory commission aimed at assisting immigrants and first- and second-generation Americans flourish is being created.
Last Wednesday, the Bucks County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve creation of the New Americans Advisory Commission.
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“The commission will play an advisory role in keeping the county commissioners apprised of matters affecting New Americans, will assist Bucks County residents in easing the path to citizenship, and will seek to foster interracial and interethnic communications aimed at identifying opportunities for equitable economic growth and the sharing of cultural experiences,” the county explained in a statement.
The commission will be headed up by Bensalem board certified internist and Pakistan native Dr. Umar Farooq, who came to America in 1991 after completing his studies. The doctor said he was “honored and humbled” to be chosen by the county to help immigrants and looks forward to helping “build bridges in the community.”
The commission’s bylaws allow for up to 15 members, but eight members with four-year terms were approved last week. All those appointed have personal or professional experience working with new Americans.
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In addition to Farooq, these seven people were appointed to the commission:
- Stephanie A. Gonzalez Ferrandez of Bensalem, a family law attorney who has worked with immigrant communities for 25 years.
- Lois Heist of Lower Makefield, a board member and English instructor for Welcoming the Stranger, a Langhorne non-profit offering free English, computer and citizenship preparation classes for area immigrants and refugees.
- Razin Karu of Bensalem, former student body president and Muslim Students Association president at Bucks County Community College, currently PA outreach coordinator for ICNA Relief USA.
- Eugene Potakh of Lower Southampton, a Ukraine-born consultant and senior programmer for New York Technology Partners.
- Stephen Seufert of Falls Township, executive assistant to Commissioner Harvie, who will serve as the county commissioners’ representative on the advisory commission.
- Patrice Tisdale of Warrington, a labor, employee relations and municipal law attorney and co-chair of the Criminal Justice and Education Committee of the Bucks County NAACP.
- Duke Wu of Northampton, a Temple University business student working as a business development intern for Siemens Healthineers of Malvern.
Credit: County of Bucks
“As American households and communities become more diverse, so too must our dialogue within government,” Commissioners Vice Chair Bob Harvie said. “I have no doubt that members of the inaugural commission, led by Dr. Farooq, will faithfully advise the county commissioners as we work toward a more inclusive community that believes in opportunity, freedom, and justice for all.”
Seufert will act as the liaison for the commission.
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