Fighting for Matthew 25 and strangers among us

You can tell the greatness of a man by the number of friends he keeps, as movies like "It's A Wonderful Life" have shown us.

Last night, more than 200 friends of Johnny Hayes from Sumner County helped pack a ballroom at Leows Vanderbilt Hotel to watch this champion for the most vulnerable in our state receive recognition. Hayes was presented The American Dream Award from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition(TIRRC).

A political and moral force in Tennessee for decades, Hayes was described last night as a man driven to honor the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25, in which Christ describes the kindnesses required from each of us for those in need. And if we are doing for them, we also are doing for Christ. It is the ultimate answer to the question, WWJD..

In accepting his award, Hayes gave the shortest speech of the night. But it was direct in making his point. His father worked in the Alcoa, TN., aluminum plant. He labored next to second generation immigrants -- all in pursuit of the American Dream that makes communities and a nation more prosperous. His work now -- in step with his beloved wife, Mary Howard -- is toward insuring the American Dream remains accessible to today's immigrants. Hayes and his wife also are very active in the Bethpage United Methodist Church in Sumner County.

This compassionate force has worked behind the scenes with TIRRC to defeat anti-immigrant legislation in the General Assembly, such as this year's effort to make English the only language allowed in workplaces. If TIRRC advocates failed to turn a stubborn, narrow-minded lawmaker, Hayes was always there to get another meeting to press the case for welcoming the strangers among us.

No piece of anti-immigrant legislation made it out of the General Assembly this year. The two standing ovations Hayes received from the packed ballroom confirmed the deep appreciation for his leadership for those of Matthew 25 without a voice.

Hayes was joined in the awards' circle by former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, who was singled out for his veto earlier this decade of the first English Only resolution to make it out of the Metro Council. Introduced by attorney and Catholic Charities chairman Gregg Ramos, Purcell was praised for the forceful language he used in vetoing the council resolution. The standing ovation Purcell received stirred emotions in an audience now fighting a petition drive for an English Only referendum this fall in Nashville.

The former mayor referred to his non-native status as a Nashvillian and noted how all newcomers have added to Nashville's growth, no matter what language initially spoken.
Purcell leaves soon for Harvard University and his new job there as director of the Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. The honor is well-deserved. Tennessee's great loss is the fortunate gain of a generation of new political leaders who will descend on the Cambridge campus.

It took some incredible leaders to start TIRRC in 2001. It is the first statewide organization fighting for immigrant rights, with offices in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis. Last night, its founder and executive director David Lubell was honored as he departs to Harvard as the holder of the Reynolds Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship. He was saluted by three immigrants who also are Tennesseans -- Trinidad Gonzalez, Haji Nousuf and Nonye Ejiofor.

TIRRC is an immigrant-led organization that directs immigrants to get more involved in the civic process of their new home. It also promotes a more accurate image of immigrants as contributors to communities.

Lubell will be replaced as executive director by Stephen Fotopulos. He joined TIRRC as policy director in 2004. His one-year-old son, Oliver, was on hand at one of the banquet tables, making his presence known with impressive giggles and coos.

If there is an injustice to the newcomers among us, TIRRC will know about it and be there. To learn more about the organization and contribute to its mission, go to http://www.tnimmigrant.org/.